#a quiet place day one imagine

[localemofreak]

There’s Just No Time To Die.

(AQP Eric x fem!reader)

Based on this song:

No Time To Die - Billie Eilish

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(Just a little heads up- I made this fic before the trailer or anything about AQP Day One came out- literally I found out Joe’s characters name and that was it- but please enjoy lmao)

‼️Warnings‼️: HEAVY ANGST, a little bit of fluff but mostly angst, major character death, pure sad shit, no happy ending, etc. (if I forgot anything please tell me)

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You never expected this to happen.

Yeah that random shower thought has come up before- ‘what would happen if something invaded earth??’

But you never expected it to happen..

It had been a few days since those ‘creatures’ crashed onto earth- and you were doing your best to survive with the small group of people you were with.

One of those people in that group was a man named Eric, he had saved your life the day those things came- even though you couldn't talk, you had gotten to know each other well over the past few days.

And the more you got to know each other, the more it was obvious that your relationship was more than just some people working together to survive- or possibly even more than friends..

-FLASHBACK-

It was the day those aliens came to earth, you had just gotten off work and you were walking down the busy sidewalks of New York, just like any other boring day.

As you were walking, there was a sound in the sky, the city just seemed to just freeze for a moment- it confused you at first, but then you glanced up at the sky.

Something was shooting through the sky- and it wasn't a meteor.

Without even another second of thought being able to come through your mind, everything just seemed to turn into terror.

Floods of people had started screaming and running as this disturbing creature started ripping through cars and people, causing full chaos to blow out.

You just froze for a second, watching all these people and objects getting ripped apart- which only caused more people to scream.

It just seemed to be going after any sound.

Finally after just standing there frozen in shock- you seemed to snap out of it and started running like everyone else, you were just in too much shock to even make a noise, right now you just had to get out of there.

While you were running, trying to get away from those strange creatures- you felt someone grab onto your arm and yank you towards them, their hand automatically going over your mouth which instantly caused you to stark panicking.

Your screams were muffled thanks to the hand over your mouth, silencing you while you were quickly dragged you into a building.

Everything just seemed to happen so quickly, but you had managed to glance around your surroundings- it looked like a little book shop you were dragged in, books and other random shit scattered on the floor slightly from the instant chaos and panic.

You just continued to try and break out of the strangers arms while humming into their hand, which didn’t do anything at all.

Soon enough you were quickly dragged behind a counter- your breathing was heavy and quick into the strangers hand as you looked up at them in panic, noticing how they brought their finger to their lips, signaling for you to be quiet.

After a second you had finally stopped humming into the person’s hand, your breathing still quick as you glanced around, adrenaline just running through your veins.

You had slowly turned your gaze back to the person who practically saved your life after a moment.

It was a man- he had short curly hair, beautiful brown doe eyes that were filled with fear and panic as well and he was wearing a brown suit.

As you continued to look up at the random man who was glancing around the store, your ears were filled with the sound of screams and crashing from outside the building and on the street.

You glanced around once again, seeing people quietly hiding under tables in panic as these strange ‘creatures’ seems to rip the city apart.

Soon- all the sudden, there was silence.

For the first time in forever, New York City was quiet.

You could hear the quiet, shaky sigh of relief fall from the man’s lips- causing you to quickly shoot your wide eyes back to look at him, his hand still over your mouth as he crouched hidden in front of you.

"What the hell was that?!" One person yelled in the shop, causing your eyes to quickly move over to the person.

Before anyone could actually react- one of those creatures came bursting in, breaking the front wall of the building as it started ripping up the place.

Out of instinct, you just quickly shut your wide eyes and put your hands over your ears as the man's hand on your mouth got rougher- trying to make sure you didn’t make any sounds.

As the little shop continued to basically get ripped apart- you felt the random man’s strong arm pull you into his side, pulling you into the corner of the counter with him.

His body basically covered yours, using himself as a human shield to try and protect you- as well as himself as this monster just continued to cause terror.

You just wanted to scream, but you couldn't- you couldn’t get yourself to let out a single noise.

Finally, after a moment you suddenly felt yourself getting pulled up from the ground, which caused you to finally open your eyes.

The man moved his hand on your mouth to your hand as he quickly dragged you out of the store, running into the street to get away.

While running with the man you glanced around, there was more creatures- you couldn't even count how many, it didn't matter at that moment, you had to get shelter.

Soon enough, the man quickly yanked you into another small shop with you, quickly closing the door behind him and locking it so nobody could come in.

As you and the stranger glanced around, you noticed there was only two other people in that small shop and they were hidden behind tables, their eyes also wide with fear.

The man who saved your life was still holding your hand as he looked over at them- his breathing heavy as he just stood them for a moment staring at them, before finally putting his shaking finger up to his lips.

As he quickly pulled you to hide behind something with him- you were all were dead quiet, just waiting for the chaos to go down.

You were all strangers to each other, but at that moment, without saying a single word you all knew you guys had to work together- to survive whatever this was.

-FLASHBACK OVER-

It had been a few days, New York was still quiet and it honestly looked apocalyptic at this point.

Everybody had either fled the city or died when the creatures attacked- and you guys were planning on fleeing soon as well.

While you and the rest of your small group had started working together to survive and escape the city- you had managed to find out the stranger’s name who saved your life.

His name was Eric.

Right now, you and Eric had decided to go out, to try and get some more materials- you had both been walking the streets for a little bit before you ended up in the middle of a little shopping center.

It was obviously abandoned, nobody seen in sight- you and Eric were in the middle of the little center, walking around a dried up fountain.

Eric had his eyes open, glancing around inside empty abandoned stores while you decided to take a seat on the fountain’s edge- your legs tired from all the walking.

You both were just there, staying quiet when all the sudden you both heard something.

It was almost like a clicking/quiet screeching sound.

In panic you and Eric both froze, your wide eyes looking into his- you and him instantly knew what it was, and you both knew you had to get out immediately.

Eric had quietly motioned for you to follow him, causing you to stand up slowly before you both started quietly but quickly making your way to the large entrance of a Macy's since it was the only exit, away from the area that the sound obviously came from.

Everything seemed to be alright, you both weren’t making any noises- but as you took another step, your foot tripped over a wire- it was a trap.

You instantly both looked at each other with wide, panicked eyes.

A loud clatter was made by cans that fell from the trap- you both seemed like you were both just frozen in fear.

"Run.." Eric whispered out with wide eyes, grabbing onto your hand.

Before you even knew it, you both were sprinting down the hall of the mall, the strange creature quickly following behind while tearing apart and throwing everything in its way to the side

You mind started racing as you ran, you instantly knew there was no way out without making it out alive, but your mind also just forced you to think you could- you and Eric both could just quickly make it out of there.

As you continued to sprint hand in hand with him, monster was catching up- but you were so close to an exit.

Right as you were about to hit the exit, the creature just seemed to appear besides you and Eric out of nowhere, quickly jumping up to get at you.

Eric’s reflexes were quick enough to save you because he instantly just tackled you down to the side, pushing you and him out of the way and onto the ground with quiet little grunts.

You were on the ground for a second, Eric on top of you as you both let out quiet but heavy breaths.

Your wide eyes glanced up at him as he hovered over you, both your chest heaving up and down from the adrenaline as his wide eyes looked down into yours.

Soon enough, Eric had managed to quickly pull you behind a glass counter- the creature lurking and blocking the only exit nearby.

You slowly turned your gaze to look over at Eric, your breathing still heavy- but he was already looking at you, and there was a soft look in his eyes.. you instantly knew the look.

You just instantly started shaking your head, your eyes already filling up with tears as you tried to stay as quiet as possible.

"Please- no..." You mouthed to him, but he just nodded his head, the soft look still in his eyes while you brought your gaze down.

Tears were already starting to slowly spill down your cheeks, his hand slowly moved up to cup the side of your face as he gently made you look back up at him, his thumb wiping away the tears as you both made eye contact

"You need to run okay.." he mouthed- you just shook your head once again, letting out silent sobs while he continued to hold your face.

You were refusing to let him sacrifice himself for you, you couldn’t live on knowing that without the guilt eating you alive.

As you sat there with Eric, both looking into each other’s eyes- you had finally realized how close both your faces have gotten, so close to the point you could feel his shaky breath over your lips.

Soon enough, his lips were on yours in a soft but also passionate kiss.

You instantly kissed back, his hand still holding onto the side of your head as your hand moved up to gently grasp onto his wrist while he held your face.

Even though both of your eyes were closed, your tears were starting to slowly fall onto his cheeks, mixing with his small tears as he had started to cry as well.

After a moment, he finally slowly pulled away, continuing to cup your face as he looked into your eyes, giving a sad reassuring smile.

You already missed the feeling of his lips as soon as he pulled away, your tear filled eyes looking up into his as you continued to hold onto his wrist.

"I love you.." He mouthed, looking into your eyes as he wiped more tears from your face before slowly pulling his hand away, causing your light grip on his wrist to slowly fall.

"I love you too.." you mouthed back, both of your hands moving to hold onto his face- just not wanting him to leave you.

But Eric shook his head and slowly pulled your hands away slowly, holding onto both of your wrists as he placed small kisses in the palm of your hand while sitting there with you.

It all seemed to happen in slow mo as you quickly shook your head while he started slowly letting go of your hands, moving them onto your lap as he started standing up.

Silent sobs started escaping from you once again as he quickly ran out from behind the glass counter, running out of the department store and back into the mall.

"Hey- come get me you son of a bitch! Come on!!" He yelled out, causing the creature to instantly sprint out of the area you were hiding in.

You had slowly stood up from behind the counter, your eyes wider than they have ever been as you watched as the creature quickly run after Eric.

You just froze as you watched it basically start ripping him into shreds in front of your eyes, his screams of pain filling your ringing ears before it went silent- the only sound being the creature and the ringing in your ears

Your heart just dropped into your stomach right there- you didn’t even know what you were feeling, it was worst than any pain you ever felt- it just felt like everything inside of you collapsed, your brain felt numb and everything stung inside and outside of you.

Tears streamed down your face before finally- you had gotten yourself to move and made a run for it, running out of the exit even though your legs felt like they just wanted to give out.

You just wanted to scream at that moment, you didn’t find a purpose in trying to survive anymore without Eric- but you knew you had too, it was what he would have wanted, it IS what he wanted.

You just continued running away, leaving behind the man who not only saved your life, but sacrificed himself for you.

[corroded-hellfire]

Summary: You help Eric through an anxiety attack

Note: Obsessed with Eric and I need to protect him from the world, please and thank you. Also, Frodo divider created by me 😊

Warnings: anxiety, panic

Words: 1.5k

The carved out hull of the decimated subway car offers little in the way of protection, but with the power out it seems likely not to cause any unwarranted noise. 

Eric ushers you in before himself, the light from the fluorescents of the station giving the two of you just enough to see by. The seats and bent handrails cast gruesome shadows across the small space, and you decide to take advantage of one particularly large pocket of darkness in the corner. 

Your back presses up against the cool metal, dented from God only knows what. Slowly, you slide down to the floor and Eric lowers himself down beside you. Both of you are caked with dirt and there’s blood smeared against one leg of your jeans. Luckily, it doesn’t seem to belong to either one of you. 

A steady stream of water is somewhere near, the comforting sound letting you breathe just a little easier. Eric must feel the same because he dares to lean in towards you and speak softly.

“Are you okay?”

Never did that seem more complex of a question. You’re not okay in the grand scheme of things, but you’re currently still alive and, for the most part, unharmed. 

“I think so,” you whisper in reply. “Are you?”

Eric nods, rubbing his hands up and down his shins, the worn brown material wearing even thinner in a few spots now. 

The two of you were fortunate to run into one another in an alleyway between two buildings—the only stroke of luck either of you have had lately. A natural ease quickly proved that you worked well together and seeing as neither of you wanted to be alone, the choice was obvious. 

Even though it’s only been roughly twenty-four hours since you’ve met, with all you’ve been through in that time, it feels as if you’ve known Eric for ages. There was no denying how cute he was either, but your brain barely had time for fleeting thoughts like that when your focus is on staying alive. 

“How’s your hand?” Eric asks.

You look at the offending appendage, purple from bruising, slightly swollen, and throbbing. Though, it’s slightly better since you’d found that bodega and swiped all the Tylenol and ibuprofen they had. 

During the initial chaos of the invasion—is that what to call it? —your back was up against the brick wall of an apartment building and a man was sent hurtling in the air towards you. Your hand had the misfortune to get crushed between the high velocity man and the brick wall. Ever since you’ve met Eric, he’s been helping you wrap your hand and always checking in on it. 

“It’s sore,” you admit. 

“Let me see?” Eric extends his hand.

Taking a deep breath, you place your injured hand in his. 

Warm, calloused fingers undo the binding currently covering the wound and toss them to the subway floor. It feels nice to let your hand breathe a bit, get some air. With just a featherlight touch, Eric traces his index finger around the mottled skin. The delicate touch sends goosebumps up your arm. If he notices them, he doesn’t say. 

A sense of disappointment fills your gut when he releases your hand to get fresh bandages. You chew on your chapped bottom lip as you watch Eric rummage through the Phantom of the Opera tote bag you’d snagged from one of those tourist gift shops. 

He sprays a bit of disinfectant spray on your hand, the mist feeling doubly cold after having the warmth of his large hand enveloping yours. Next comes a fresh bandage. Eric always applies them so carefully, making sure it’s not too tight but gives your hand some support. You watch him as he works, your eyes taking in the small details of his face while he’s busy focusing on something else.

His dark eyelashes are so long that they kiss his cheeks with every blink. The curls on the top of his head are messy from everything they’ve been through, but it’s unkempt in a charming way. It amazes you how dry his lips are from dehydration, yet they still look so pink and inviting. 

Eric secures the bandage on your hand, and you momentarily move on to admiring the color and depth of his eyes when you realize he’s finished and no longer distracted. 

Heat comes to your face, so you lift your injury up to inspect it, hoping to give you a minute to cool down. 

“Thank you,” you whisper when you lay your hand back down in your lap. 

“Of course.”

The good thing about needing to keep quiet during all of this is that none of the silences could be interpreted as awkward. It’s just self-preservation. 

It goes on that way for about ten minutes before you feel your head get heavy and decide to lean it against Eric’s shoulder. It’s not long before he gently rests his head on top of yours. Despite the circumstances around you, a small smile grows on your lips.

But your peace doesn’t last long. A groaning of metal and the now too-familiar skittering of legs or pincers or whatever they’re called. 

By the sound of it, you guess that the creature is coming from your left, somewhere down the subway track. But there’s no reason for it to know you’re here. As long as you can remain quiet, the monster should just pass you by without trouble. 

A hitch in breath from beside you grabs your attention though. Your head jerks in the direction of Eric to find his breathing speed up and his eyes widen in that recognizable panic. 

Pressing one hand to his shoulder, you get his attention and his head whips to face you. With your other, injured hand, you hold up a finger to your mouth for him to stay quiet.

Eric nods but the rate of his breathing only increases. You shake your head and lean in towards him. 

“Breathe.” The words could barely be considered a full whisper. 

You’ve helped him through these anxiety attacks a few times now so you try to tell yourself you can do it again. You can’t blame the poor guy for being so scared, either. 

The clicking of the approaching monster comes closer then stops. It feels as if time pauses while you wait to see what will happen now. 

Smashing the play button, the creature falls from where it must have been crawling on the ceiling, to land on the subway platform.

Eric jumps and you see his teeth clench together as he tries to keep the panic at bay. 

Step by crunching step, the being stalks closer to your subway car. Even though it can’t see you, instinct tells you to get further out of sight.

As silently as possible, you scoot over so there’s enough room for you to lay flat on the floor of the car. Eric glances down at you and you motion for him to do the same. He gives you a quick nod and with shaking hands, moves to lay down next to you.

Within the cramped space it’s hard for two adults to lay flat, side by side, so Eric ends up on his side, facing you. If you turned your head to look at him, your noses would brush. 

One long black limb stretches out from the creature and crushes a piece of metal right outside your car—probably the remains of an adjoining car. 

Eric’s anxiety spikes again and before you can think about it, you wrap your arm around his shoulders and bring his body down on top of yours. 

It’s not the most comfortable angle for either of you, almost awkward. But Eric wastes no time grabbing onto your waist, his head falling to the juncture between your neck and shoulder. 

Consciously, you slow your breathing down in hopes that Eric’s will follow your lead. 

Another crunch of metal rents the air and you both jump, clinging tighter to one another. Eric’s grip on your body changed positions slightly, and now his head is resting right over your heart. 

You glance down and watch as Eric visibly calms. He takes a few deep breaths and lets his eyes slip closed as he lays against you. 

It takes you a few moments to realize what caused the change. Eric’s head is on its side, his right ear directly over your heart. He’s listening to your heartbeat. And it’s calming him. The thought alone makes your heart rate speed up. 

Slowly, you reach up and gently rest your hand in his hair. He tilts his chin up so he can see your face and you give him a small smile. The one he gives you in return brings forward the confidence to begin running your fingers through Eric’s soft curls. 

The two of you stay that way, listening as the creature moves farther and farther away, until you can’t hear it at all anymore.

But even then, after the immediate threat is gone and everything seems peaceful and calm around you, you both still stay that way. His hands holding onto your body, his head over your heart, and you carding your fingers through his curls. 

Maybe this subway car is a better place to be than you originally thought. 

[storiesforallfandoms]

i'd find you in any life ~ eric; a quiet place day one

word count: 3614

request?: no

description: in which two idiots in love find their way back to each other after the end of the world

pairing: eric x female!reader

warnings: swearing, use of y/n, spoilers for aqpdo, mentions of death, mentions of the quiet place aliens, end of the world type beat

masterlist (one, two, three)

Day One

The little bell over the door chimed to signal the first customer she'd seen in nearly an hour. She stifled an eye roll and bookmarked her novel, only to find it was her favorite customer.

"Hey Eric!"

Eric smiled at her. She was glad to be leaning against the counter because his smile never failed to make her weak in the knees.

"Working hard, or hardly working?" Eric asked, mirroring her leaning position across from her.

"Oh, very clearly working hard," she responded, gesturing to her book. "I'm almost finished my book."

"Very hard work indeed."

(Y/N) chuckled. "Want your usual?"

"Of course. And one of those delicious looking chocolate chip muffins."

(Y/N) playfully salted and went to make Eric's usual coffee order.

Eric had been coming to the coffee shop (Y/N) worked at for months now. He had came in first one morning before one of his classes, in a rush and asking her to make him anything with caffeine as quickly as she could. She quickly made him a coffee and he threw a $20 bill at her, telling her to keep the change. He came back the next day to thank her, and to tell her it was the best coffee he ever had. She made him another and insisted it was on the house.

It was the start of Eric being a regular customer, as well as being the start of his and (Y/N)'s friendship.

Eric watched her work to make his coffee. "You know, one of these days I'll figure out what you do to make such good coffee."

She smiled at him over her shoulder. "It's just coffee! I don't even do anything special with it."

"But it's the best coffee I've had! I can't even make coffee this good."

"I make it with love."

She quickly turned away to pretend she was making his coffee. Really, she was trying to hide the look of embarrassment on her face. The second the words had left her mouth, she regretted it.

Of course (Y/N) had a crush on Eric. You'd be crazy not to. On a surface level, he was extremely handsome. He had the biggest, brownest eyes she had ever seen, the prettiest face, and a smile that made her feel like she was flying. Not to mention that British accent of his, which was way too easy to fall for. And then she got to know him and she found herself falling even deeper in love with his personality. He was the sweetest person she had ever met. She'd be crazy not to develop feelings for him.

The question then, she knew, was why did she never tell Eric how she felt about him?

As kind as Eric was, and as much as she considered him a friend, she knew they weren't meant to be together. Eric was in New York to go to law school. He was going to be a big lawyer, make lots of money and be successful. (Y/N), on the other hand, was in her 20s working in a coffee shop, with no prospects for the future. She didn't know what she wanted in life, but she knew Eric likely wouldn't be a part of it. It was best for him, even if it hurt her.

She poured his coffee into a take away cup and bagged the muffin he asked for. She could barely look at him as she rang in his order. He was looking at her with those big, brown eyes. She wasn't sure if she'd be able to form a coherent sentence if she did.

"Are you on your way to class?" she asked as she took his payment.

"Not for another hour and a half," he replied. "Had to come down to get my coffee first, and was hoping you weren't too busy so I could hang out for a bit."

(Y/N) couldn't fight the smile on her face. "I guess I won't kick you out for loitering."

"As long as I don't get you in trouble."

She scoffed. "Please, you're a paying customer. There's nothing my manager can get upset about. Not that he ever shows up anyways."

Eric paid for his order, and as (Y/N) was getting his change he pulled another $20 bill from his wallet and put it into the tip jar next to the register. (Y/N)'s eyes widened. She grabbed the bill and tried to give it back to Eric.

"That's your tip," he said.

"It's too much, Eric! Just give me your change!"

He shook his head. "You deserve it. I told you, you make the best coffee I've ever had. Not to mention the coffee comes with a side of friendship with a wonderful person."

She tried not to let her smile falter at the word "friends". She knew that's all they were. It was her choice to keep her secrets a secret.

Eric hung around long enough to eat his muffin and drink about half of his coffee. It wasn't until another customer finally came in that they both realized the time and he had to go. (Y/N) said goodbye and Eric promised to come back again the next day. She smiled at him before turning her attention back to her new customer.

Soon, the shop was empty again and (Y/N) found herself missing Eric's presence. Despite being friends, they had yet to exchange phone numbers. Eric had found (Y/N) on social media and asked her if it was okay for him to follow and message her, which of course she said yes. They had messaged back and forth on there, but there was something more intimate about asking for his phone number. Maybe she was just overthinking that. They were already friends, they already spoke outside of when he came to the shop. What harm was there in asking for his number to text whenever they wanted to, and not just when they had internet?

That's it, she thought. I'll do it tomorrow.

(Y/N) was content with her decision, smiling to herself as she was cleaning the coffee machine, when she heard a commotion outside. Through the shop window she could see a crowd forming. She stepped up to the window to see everyone looking at the sky. She followed their gazes to see streaks of light falling from the sky. She thought it was a meteor shower at first, but there was something about it that made her feel off. Like it wasn't just a few space rocks passing over Earth.

She noticed one beam of light was coming closer. Not exactly at her specifically, but close enough for it to be concerning. The crowd in front of the shop suddenly started to move, some of them in a panicked manner. (Y/N) backed away from the window, planning to take cover however she could, but she was too late. There was the sound of an impact a few streets over, followed by rumbling of an aftershock that eventually reached the shop. The last thing (Y/N) remembered was the shop windows exploding and her being thrown back, hitting her head on a nearby table and knocking her out.

~~~~~~

Day 89

"There's a boat coming!"

Eric didn't usually care much to see who was arriving at the island. He was always glad to know that other people had heard and figured out Henri's code to get to safety, but he knew that whoever was coming was not someone for him. He had lost everyone during those first few days - his parents (not that it was ever confirmed, but he knew the likeliness was slim and he'd never get a real confirmation he was sure), Sam.

(Y/N).

There was no reason for him to go watch as new survivors were welcomed to the island, like so many of the others did.

But that day, he was sat outside in the sun eating with Frodo when the call came. Frodo's ears had perked up and, before Eric could stop him, the black and white feline had taken off towards the beach. Eric swore under his breath and got up to follow.

"Even the damn cat is a noisy bugger," Eric muttered to himself.

There was already a small crowd huddled to watch as the small boat coasted onto the island. Henri and a few others were already there, pulling the boat to shore and helping the small handful of survivors off. He was speaking to the first person who had gotten off, a man who shared the same expression that everyone did when they first got there - terror. The confusion and fear of Henri speaking always got to them first, and often times people wouldn't believe Henri when he said that the aliens couldn't reach them because they couldn't survive the water.

Eric was looking for Frodo more than he was paying attention to whoever was getting off the boat. The cat was moving around the people in his way so smoothly, meanwhile Eric had to bump and push his way past everyone, mumbling an apology as he went.

Frodo suddenly ran towards the boat as another person got off. Eric broke through the crowd and chased after Frodo, an apology already on the tip of his tongue for whoever Frodo had ran up to. But the words died before they could come out as he watched the person scoops Frodo up in her arms and look for whoever owned him, her eyes locking on Eric immediately.

"Eric?"

"(Y/N)?"

He was moving before he realized it, his arms around (Y/N) to pull her into a hug. Tears were forming in his eyes as he held her, making sure that she was actually real and not a figment of his imagination.

Frodo grumbled, breaking them apart. He jumped down from (Y/N)'s arms and sat looking between them.

"Is he yours?" she asked.

"Technically yes. He belonged to someone else before, but..." He stopped, the familiar ache in his chest from whenever he thought about Sam. "But he's mine, now."

(Y/N) nodded. She seemed to understand. They had all gone through the same hell, all lost someone. It was hard not to understand.

"Bring her up," Henri said, suddenly appearing next to the two of them. That's when Eric realized that everyone was making their way back to the community. "Unless you both want to keep standing here all day."

Eric shook his head. "No, sorry. (Y/N), come with me."

(Y/N) was shocked upon seeing the community of houses and people, as most survivors are. They were so used to the wreckage that the aliens caused, and all the fear that drove so many into silence, that seeing all these well built houses, and seeing people talking and living without fear, was foreign.

"When was the last time you ate anything?" Eric asked (Y/N). "Or showered? Or had water?"

"A long time," (Y/N) responded to all three questions.

Eric nodded. "I have my own place. Frodo and I were just having lunch, and there's plenty to share. I have a working shower, drinkable water."

"That all sounds perfect," she said. "Lead the way."

Eric showed her to his place. He gave her towels and told her he'd find her clean clothes from one of the other ladies in town. He tried not to linger as she stepped into the bathroom and let the shower run. She'd think he was crazy if she caught him there, debating on going into the shower with her, but it was the only thing on his mind in this moment. Well, besides the desire to kiss her senseless and never let her go again.

Eric had mourned (Y/N). Even before he met Sam and had to mourn her as well, he mourned the coffee shop girl who had became such a good friend to him; who he had loved and never told. When the invasion first started, Eric's first thought wasn't his own survival, but about if (Y/N) had gotten to safety. He had left her in the coffee shop just moments prior, and someone had been with her then, but did that person stay? Did more people come? Was there anyone there to protect her, to get her out? Had she figured out too late that the aliens were attracted to sound?

When he got on the boat to come to the island, he looked at every other survivor that was there with him. He asked around if anyone knew (Y/N), if they knew whether she was there. When they got to the island, he looked at the others who had gotten there first. She was nowhere to be seen, and no one knew of her. He had to come to terms with the fact that she was probably dead, and that made him wish he was, too.

He regretted never telling (Y/N) how he felt. He thought he had lost his chance forever, and that thought haunted him every day. He could hardly believe that she was actually here, that she had survived.

One of his neighbors was gracious enough to give him clothes for (Y/N). He left them outside the bathroom door for her, then went back outside to continue eating. He had gotten the extra food he had planned to put away as leftovers and brought it out for (Y/N) to eat, as well as gotten her a glass of water. Frodo had taken his position hunched over a can of cat food again, eating away as if he were the one who was starved.

(Y/N) came out a few minutes later, her wet hair clinging to her and looking more refreshed. She still looked exhausted, but he knew how long it would take to really get any rest after what she had experienced.

She sat down next to him and picked up the food he had waiting for her.

"Thank you," she said.

"Of course," he responded. "You served me for quite some time. I think it's only fair I finally repay the favor."

She smiled, and he was brought back to every time he visited her coffee shop and was able to make her smile at something he said. It had always been such an accomplishment to him.

They ate in silence for some time. (Y/N) tried to savor the food, but she was so hungry that she couldn't help but scarf so much of it down so quickly. Eric couldn't help but watch her. He was still terrified that she'd suddenly disappear and he'd realize this was all just a dream.

"I can't believe you're here," he said before he could stop himself.

(Y/N) looked up at him. "I can't believe you're here. I thought..."

"Me too."

She moved her plate aside and turned her body so that she was facing him. "What happened that day?"

"I was in the tube - the subway - and suddenly there was all this shaking and rumbling. A pipe or something burst eventually and suddenly the whole place was flooded. I was sure I was a goner, until I managed to get to a stairwell that led up into New York. That's where I first met this guy - " Eric reached over to pat Frodo. " - and I followed him to his owner. She...she's the reason I'm here."

"Did she...?"

Eric swallowed the lump in his throat and nodded. "She was sick. She told me she made peace with her mortality and was okay with the sacrifice so that Frodo and I could survive."

(Y/N) reached out to place her hand on Eric's. He moved it so that their fingers intertwined. If this had been months ago, he would've been more focused on the fact that he was finally holding (Y/N)'s hand.

"She sounds like a good person," (Y/N) said. "I wish I could've met her."

"Me too," Eric said. "What about you? What happened to you that day?"

"Well, I was at the coffee shop, as you know, and suddenly these...things...I guess the eggs? I don't know, but I watched them fall from the sky. One of them landed a few streets over from the shop and the aftershocks blew the windows out and knocked me out. When I came to, I had been rescued by Stephen, he's the one who got off the boat first. He found anyone who was still alive and brought us to this building to hide us away. He told us to keep quiet, that it was the only way for us to survive. He kept going out and searching for other survivors, or for any resources to keep us alive."

"He didn't take you to the boats?"

She shook her head. "He tried, but there was an attack when we were all trying to get there. We kind of dispersed and all ended up back in the same building. A lot of us didn't make it, and by the time we tried to get out again the boats were gone. We had no idea where they were going, or how to get there since every boat had been taken from the dock it seemed. We settled in to try and fend for ourselves, which we did until we happened to hear a song looping over the radio."

"Beyond the Sea," Eric said. "It was Henri's idea. It was a code to get more survivors to come to safety."

"It worked. It just took some time for us to follow it."

"But you're here now." Eric squeezed her hand. "God, I'm so glad you're here. I thought...I spent every day thinking about you."

"I thought about you a lot, too." There were tears in her eyes now, too. "When I woke up, the first thing I thought was worrying where you were. I wanted so badly for you to have been someone that Stephen saved, and then so much time passed and I thought..."

Eric nodded. "Me too. I really thought you were gone."

It may not have been the most tactful way to do it, but emotions were running high and Eric's brain wasn't particularly working right. He took hold of her face and pulled her to him, pressing his lips against hers. It wasn't the best kiss in the world, he would admit. Because he caught (Y/N) off guard, it was more teeth than lips, and he could taste the saltiness of their mixed tears on her lips.

When she pulled away almost immediately, Eric felt embarrassment wash over him.

"I'm sorry," he said. "I shouldn't have done that without asking first."

To his surprise, (Y/N) moved their plates out of their way before climbing onto Eric's lap. She leaned in slower, giving him more time to register that they were going to kiss again. When her lips touched his this time, it was soft and gentle, but still needy. Like they were both making up for so much lost time, which, he guessed, they were.

They were only interrupted this time by someone yelling, "Hey! There's kids out here! Get a room!"

(Y/N) pulled away, giggling a little as she rested her forehead against Eric's.

"So, it was okay that I kissed you?" he asked.

"I would think me kissing you back was enough of an answer," she said. "But yes, it was very much okay."

"I've wanted to do that since the day after we met."

She raised an eyebrow at him. "The day after?"

"Well yeah. The day we met I was in such a hurry that I didn't have time to really register the fact that a beautiful woman was making me coffee."

"See, that's so funny, because I also wanted to kiss you the day we met, and every day after when you came in for coffee."

"Wait, really?" Her smile was shyer now as she nodded her head. "Why didn't you ever tell me?"

"Well, you were going to school to be a lawyer and you had everything going for you. I was just the girl in a coffee shop who didn't know what she was doing with her life. I thought...I thought it would be better for you if we didn't date, so that you could find someone with the same ambitions as you."

"I'm not saying this now because the world as ended, but fuck me being a lawyer. I didn't care if you were working at a coffee shop, or going to school like I was, or if you were just some homeless person on the side of the road. I loved you for who you were. I still love you for who you are."

(Y/N) was speechless. It was the words she had been longing to hear for so long, even after the world went to shit. She was convinced she was dreaming, or having some sort of alien induced hallucination. She made a mental note to pinch herself later, because if this was a dream she didn't want to wake up any time soon.

"I love you, too."

They went to kiss again, but Frodo meowed and nudged Eric's leg. He chuckled as he reached down to pet the cat. "I guess we shouldn't just be making out in broad daylight after already being yelled at once."

"I suppose not," (Y/N) said. "You know, I am awfully tired still. You should take me in to see your bed."

Eric grinned at her. "I like the way you think."

[websterss]

JUST TRYING TO BE BRAVE — ERIC (AQPDO)

REQUEST: A request for Eric from A Quiet Place: Day One The reader only knows of one way to calm him whilst he's having a panic attack during the madness, and they gently let him rest against their chest and listen to their heartbeat until he calms down <3

WARNING(S): SLIGHT SPOILERS, fluff, angst, panic attacks

WORD COUNT: 1,286

PAIRING: Eric x fem!Reader

A/N: I hope you enjoy it! Feedback is always welcomed! I didn’t know where you wanted the reader to calm him down so you get a two-for-one scenario fic lmfao <33

MASTERLIST

You don’t know what you would’ve done if you hadn’t run into Sam like you and Eric had. You two probably would have continued to wander the discarded vacant streets of New York, had you decided not to follow the cat.

Sam had been insistent on you both leaving her be with her cat, but at last she got used to your presence. Now as you shelter in her abandoned home, watching and hearing the rain fall from the windows, you can’t help but feel relieved those creatures can’t hear your beloved's panicked inhales and exhales.

“Eric, it’s okay! You’re alright. We’re okay!” He only shakes his head at your reassured comments. Your consolation this time wasn’t doing the trick to calm him down, if you hadn’t run out you would have given him his prescribed anxiety meds. “It’s okay. They can’t hear us up here right now. You’re okay. We’ve made it this far haven’t we?” You breathe out a laugh as you cup his face. He barely musters a nod before his eyes close again, you could imagine the tornado spinning around in his chest. Wreaking havoc on his sanity and any small chance of serenity. You could imagine it all. You could see the panic, the fear in his eyes, making his chest rise and fall rapidly as he struggled to maintain his breath. “Do you want to try it again, what your doctor recommended us to do? Your head pressed on my chest. Match your breathing to the rhythm of each beat of my heart…” You trailed off letting him take the lead.

At your suggestion, he nods slowly, his eyes closing as he reaches out for your hands again. "O-Okay..." Eric tried to take deep breaths, but they came out as panicked stutters.

You sat back against the sofa, allowing space for him to rest against your chest. You began to steady your rhythmic pace, knowing it only worked if you were just as calm and relaxed. You press a gentle kiss against his curls. As his breathing slows to a soft inhale and exhale. He tuned out everything around him. Hearing every thump, feeling every minor skip in your chest. He felt your steadiness, felt the caresses in his hair. The strong warm hold of your other arm as you held him close. He could feel you, hear every intake of air. You were present for him, and he was welcoming the stillness the moment allowed for you both to have once again. He guessed as much though just how the rest of your lives would dissolve into, a world of quiet.

It seemed heavenly at first, but otherworldly frightening, knowing he might just have to savor the small moments where he’d get to hear your voice again. Just as he was doing now.

Once you registered his slackened jaw and relaxed shoulders, you assumed as much that he had fallen asleep. You didn’t dare move. Your fingers continued to rake through his hair as he had succumbed to sleep. You couldn't help but feel relieved that he had calmed down and been able to find some rest. The rain continued to patter against the windows, its soothing sound acting as a natural lullaby to ease your nerves. As you held him close, you found yourself unable to tear your gaze away from his peaceful face.

“What started the attacks?” Sam watches you both from the windows.

“Moving far from home. His parents were so proud of him for following through with law school, but he was devastated to leave them. I completely out of mind in love with him, made the biggest jump of my life following him to the U.S.”

“Do you ever regret it?”

You peer up at Sam with glistened eyes. “N-No. I wouldn’t be sane going through this apocalypse without him. Whatever this whole mess is!” You exclaimed quietly. You look down at him, brushing back his curls. “I’d regret it more if I hadn’t followed him here. I can’t imagine what he would’ve done all alone, if he’d survived it this far. I think he would. I wonder if he’d have met you just the same if I wasn’t here. I’d have been thankful just the same though, Sam. For letting him stick with you.” You choke back a sob, your smile widening at the corners. Sam only nods, turning her head away from your vulnerable confession. You didn’t take it to the heart. Who knew what pain she was going through herself.

As you spoke to Sam, your voice quivered with a mix of love and vulnerability. You could feel the weight of your words hanging in the air, and for a moment, it was as if the world outside faded away, leaving only the three of you to navigate this strange new reality. You couldn’t help but wonder how Eric would have fared if you hadn't been by his side, a thought that sent a shiver down your spine. With bated breaths, you turned your focus back to him, sleeping peacefully in your arms.

-

“Eric baby please!” You swish around in the water, eyes glistening as you look up at the creature crawling out from the hole on the roof. Sam had taken a more firmer approach. Holding her hand over his mouth. You had caught him about to squeak, before Sam shushed him. His need to express his panic in screams was hard to muffle.

You moved as quietly as you could in the water. Making your way to take over Sam’s place. Eric only shook his head at you. You had to nod, to remind him to stay calm.

“Eric, we need to slow your heart.”

“N-No, no, no.” He muttered. “I can’t…”

“You can, you can. Baby, look at me.” You whispered harshly, gripping his face like Sam had done. In a more serene and calm scenario, your softer touch would have been your go-to, but not when that thing was getting closer. “I’m scared right now, I’m scared too, but we need to get you back on track. I need you to focus and match your breathing to mine, right now!” Your eyes plead with him. “Please!”

His eyes were wide with fear, pupils dilated and breaths shallow. The panic was clearly taking over him as water dipped into his mouth, making it difficult for him to focus on anything other than the impending danger. Despite his obvious distress, he nodded slightly, trying his best to calm himself down. As you held his face, he tried to match his breathing to yours, each breath a struggle for control over the mounting fear. He closed his eyes, forcing himself to stay grounded in the presence of your touch.

"I got you. D-Deep breaths…" You barely whisper to him, your frequency morphing into mouthed words.

He took a shaky breath, shuddering as he attempted to follow your instructions. Your steady presence grounded him to the moment.

You didn't hesitate to place his head on your chest. You placed your hand on the back of his head, rubbing his wet hair back and forth in hopes of reassuring him. You tread lightly backwards, keeping your sights on the beast behind you three.

Eric pressed his ear against your chest, the sound of your steady heartbeat providing a calming rhythm to focus on. His breaths were still shaky, but with your hand on the back of his head, soothing in soft caresses, he slowly began to calm down. He closed his eyes and let himself be guided through the water, trusting your instincts to lead the way. Trusting both Sam and you to get him far away from the damned creature.

[munsonify]

can we... pls get some eric x reader 🥺👉🏻👈🏻

yesss omg!! of course!! i wasn’t sure if you meant pre or post apocalypse so i went post! i hope you enjoy it, and im sorry it’s kinda short ♥️♥️

pairing: eric x gn!reader

description: teary eyed eric won’t let you out of his reach

warning/s: no gendered descriptions, slight mentions of blood and the monsters, crying/anxiety

word count: 304

the gentle touch of eric’s hand is what grounds you, his fingers wrapping right around your wrist. it was late, you knew that. you wanted nothing more than to sleep. images of the creatures that roam outside of a mostly standing building you were camped in was burned into your eyes. their dull grey skin mixed with the bright red of human blood scared you shitless.

with whatever luck you two had left, you and eric found your way into a break room of a business that had a dusty couch inside of it. no matter the silent protest that you gave him, he still insisted you slept there. he swore he was okay with the floor. you just wanted his presence.

your eyes flicker down at eric, his wide, wet eyes staring right into you. without any sort of hesitation, you opened up your arms to him. you could see his lips start to quiver and his hands begin to shake. he needed nothing more than your comfort. eric pulled himself up for his seat on the ground, body immediately weighing down on yours. your warmth engulfed him, your tight grip grounding him just like he’d grounded you.

his strong arms wrapped around your waist. in a desperate attempt to quiet himself, he pressed his face into your shirt covered chest. several shaky breaths were let out against your body. a hand was brought up to cradle the back of his head to hold him in place, and the other ran against the length of his back soothingly. eric’s breathing was sporadic, though after some time and some tears, you could feel it steadying with yours.

he couldn’t imagine trying to do this alone. he was grateful to have you. he just hopes he doesn’t fuck it up for the both of you.

[xxmayxx05]

I won't let go, if you don't let go

pairing: Eric x Fem! reader

Contents: blood, weird aliens, Fluff (involves a cute man with puppy eyes). 18+ in the next chapter!

a/n: Hi everyone! I hope you like my first Eric imagine! Joseph Quinn did such an amazing job as Eric. If you haven't watched A quiet place day one, I highly recommend it. I am going to make this a small series, and I want to make more Eric content. So please please send requests. Reblogs and comments are highly appreciated. - May<3

Day 5

Closing your eyes, you sighed softly and stood infront of the window of your apartment. You were still trying to process and understand what day happened just five days ago. It was a regular day for you, you were coming back from Law school. You were in the subway to go back to your apartment after a very stressful day. All you wanted was to go back home to your apartment, cry your eyes out, order some take out and drink your favorite wine. 

You never would of guessed that the world was practically going to end. At your last stop, you were about to step off the train when you heard screaming all around. Your heart dropped to the pit of your stomach when you felt the floor shake hard, and the sounds of bombs deathened your ears. Not knowing what to do, you stood there frightened. Out of nowhere you saw, what seemed to be a monster. The monster was killing people, with every victim, the walls were splattered with blood all around and people were running around. 

“Y/N!” you heard some scream out your name and felt someone wrap their arms around your waist. 

The unknown person pulled you back into the train and threw you both onto the ground. Finally getting out of your frightened daze, you had realized that it was Eric. He was one of your classmates in law school, the british man had worked with you in one project last semester. Both of you would meet up after school, would go to each others places to work on the project. You had grown really fond of being with Eric in such a short amount of time and it scared you because you would feel butterflies in your stomach when you would see him. It sounded unbelievable but you had a crush on Eric but always tried to push it aside so you could focus on law school. 

“Love!, look at me. Look at me please” Eric begged quietly as he softly caressed your cheek. The train started being flooded with water and very quickly. He helped you get up slowly as he looked around to see if the unknown creature was around, but it had gone all the way down of the subway. Eric could only think was about getting you out of your state of shock. All you did was blink and look at him. You started breathing heavily as you started gain more consciousness of what your just had seen. 

“E-eric” you cried softly and realized that what had just happened. 

“You have to be quiet” he whispered as he quickly covered your mouth and nodded his head. The water had now risen up to his waist. “We need to find the way out quickly and quietly” he said and gave you a small smile when you had nodded your head and tried to calm your breathing. 

“Follow me” you whispered and grabbed his hand. You were thankful that this was your stop and you knew your way around the subway. Finally being able to calm yourself down, you carefully stepped out of the train and gasped softly when you saw the amount of bodies that were floating in the water. 

“We have to keep going Y/n” he whispered in your ear as the water had risen mid stomach. Eric felt you begin to softly cry at the sight of the floating bodies. He was scared at the sight as well but he needed to survive and you as well. “Please, the water is rising” he plead in a hushed tone. 

Making yourself knock out of the shock, you practically began to flutter kick in the water softly. The water was rising faster but it didn’t stop you from almost getting to the entrance.

“Take a deep breath and swim y/n” Eric breathed heavily. The water had risen up all the way to his neck now, and he had his arm wrapped around your waist to keep you upfloat. 

“Please don’t let go” you cried softly, thinking that this could be the end of you both. He shook his head immediately. 

“I won’t, if you won’t” he said and panicked softly as the water had risen up to his chin. “Now” he said and took a deep breath. 

After taking your final deep breath, you saw at the semi dark water. You and Eric had your hands intertwined tightly. Looking around in a panic you saw light. Swimming close to the light, you tried touching the floor but you recognized that there were steps. You swam practically half up the steps with Eric. Finally getting close to the surface you, gasped for air when you were out of the water. Immediate relief filled your chest when you were gasping for air and realized that you were alive. Turning around, you immediately wrapped your arms around Eric and hugged him. 

“It’s a-alright love, we are a-alright” he said quietly and still trying to catch up on his breathing. Eric was about to slip into a state of shock himself, he was about to die down there in the subway. His soft cries took over, feeling too over whelmed about everything that was going on around him. All he wanted was to have a regular day at law school, hoping that he could grow the courage to talk to you in the hallway but he would retreat everytime. Now he was here in what seemed to be the end of the world in his eyes, all he wanted to do is hide and try to survive with you. 

“We h-have to go” you whispered and caressed Eric’s cheek. He had began to worry you as his eyes were wide opened and his body shook in fear. “Eric please” you begged silently and made him look at you. “Look at me” you whispered and smiled softly when started blinking rapidly. 

“Good job” you reassured him and kept caressing his cheek. “My apartment is down the block, we have to be quick and careful” you said quietly and looked around. The streets were quiet, cars flipped and wrecked, some building were on fire. Relief came over you when you didn’t see any of the scary creatures. “We have to go now” you whispered and intertwined your fingers with Eric’s. 

Both of you had walked carefully and quietly down the block. His grip tightened, scared that he was going to loose you at any second. Walking up the steps of your building, you caught your breath that you didn’t know you were holding in. You lead Eric up to the sixth floor and walked to your door. Crouching down, you looked underneath the door mat. Feeling relief that your apartment key was there, you always kept it there for any type of emergency. Grabbing it, you unlocked your door carefully and opened the door. Trying to open the door softly, you both walked in and you locked the door behind. 

—-

Sighing softly you kept looking out the window and smiled softly when you felt a hand on your shoulder. You felt comfort with the thunderstorm that had just started and knowing that you weren’t alone and had Eric. Both of you were afraid to step outside after what you guys witnessed, all you both did was cuddle in your bed, try to draw, play tic tac toe, and finding out that Eric was a very good magician. 

“Are you okay?” he asked softly and wrapped both of his arms around your waist. Eric knew that you were still trying to get yourself out of the state of shock, he was also trying to do the same but he knew that it was going to stay with you both for a very long time. 

“Yes” you whispered and leaned your head back on his chest and closed your eyes. Being with Eric made your anxiety and nerves calm down. Day by day, hour by hour, minute by minute, you were falling more and more for him. 

“What are you thinking about?” he asked and hugged you. Leaning his chin on top of your head, he loved how you both became so close with each other. He didn’t feel embarrassed, that he would follow you around the apartment like a lost puppy because he was afraid that with a blink of an eye you would be gone. 

“We need to leave soon, Eric” you said and turned around. Looking up your eyes teared up at the feeling of fear began to rise. “We only have food for two more days and then it’s gone. We have to get to those boats” you said, crying softly. “I don’t want to loose you” you admitted and gasped softly when Eric immediately kissed you.

Eric couldn’t help himself anymore and kissed you. He was happy that you felt this way towards him, he was afraid that he was going to loose you too. Eric knew that he had to man up and get you both to those boats. Mostly you, he had to get you to safety but he promised himself that he was going to protect you until the very end. 

Feeling relief that you kissed him back with as much passion made him feeling butterflies in his stomach. Loving how your soft hand caressed his cheek and your other arm wrapped around his neck. Leaning back softly and leaning his forehead against yours. 

“You aren’t going to loose me, I promise you that” he said with a small smile. “In two days, we will head to the boats first thing in the morning. Once we get to safety, it’s just you and me” he reassured you and pecked your lips. “I’m not letting you go if you don’t let me go” he said. 

“I won’t” you promised and pecked his lips. Gasping softly when he picked you up and wrapped your legs around his waist. 

“I want you” he said and searched your eyes for permission. 

“I’m all yours” you smiled softly and kissed him. Giggling softly when he began walking to your bed, he was going to worship your body. The way that he had wished to do since he met you the first time in class. 

[megalony]

Silence Is Golden

This is a new imagine for Eric from A Quiet Place: Day One. I know there aren't too many people interested in this fandom but I really enjoyed writing this one and hope you will all like it too.

Taglist: @justagirlthatlovedtoread @musicistheway @avada-kedavra-bitch-187 @luula @missdreamofendless @bradleybeachbabe @woderfulkawaii @amberpanda99 @daggersquadphantom @marvel-and-chicago-fan @angryknightstatesmantrash @minjix @lyje @kmc1989 @itsmytimetoodream @noonenuts @hiireadstuff @ashie-babie @classyunknownlover @jayyeahthatsme @sp1ritssz @dumb-fawkin-bitch @oliverstarksbae @gimatida @heart-35 @supernaturalstilinski @kyky9103 @gay4hotmilfs @itshamleth @chaoticnosleepinfluencer @gs29 @wh0reforsmutstuff @mel-vaz @natashamea18 @chrisevansdaughter @alexandra848484 @deena-beena-weena @targaryenluvs @kpoplover-19 @marvelmenarebeautiful @gillybear17

@zoeybennett @mrspeacem1nusone @zephyrmonkey @estella-novella @eleventhdoctorsangel @kniselle @senjoritanana @shauna-carsley @dottierose @cfdhouse51 @darkfemme1 @rainechase45 @lolalolsstuff @jupiter1700 @ashdoctor @an-aliens-ghost @lunaroserites @houseoftwistedspirits @callsignwidow @winterreader-nowwriter @reneinii @bellsbomb @western-pyro @itsgigikay @harry-satellite @midsummereve1993 @babyqueen17 @buckyyyismahhlife @sammiejane22 @mrsyixingunicorn10 @op-81-lvr-reblogs @talicat713 @niamhmbt @strawberry-canyon @bieberhoodforever @911fangirlie @hollandxxmix

Main Masterlist

Summary: Eric is relieved when he finds his wife amidst the chaos. And when they try and find a safe haven, (Y/n) calms him down when his panic overloads and becomes too much.

Enjoy.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Eric didn't like this.

He had the desperate need to cup his hands over his ears as he walked and cower down as if to make himself a smaller target, but he knew it wouldn't help. He knew covering his ears wasn't going to make a difference when everyone around him was still making such apparant noises that they were going to attract the creatures. Cupping his ears wasn't going to cause everyone else to be quiet.

With his elbows pinned into his waist, Eric bound both arms around his middle and continued to walk against the tide of people.

They nudged past Eric, pushing him left and right, moving him at all angles while they made noises that were surely going to cause their impending doom. The wheels of a wheelchair squeaked and clicked over stones and curbs. People pulling suitcases let them tumble from left to right and get stuck in pot holes.

Women wore heels, rough shoes clicked against the floor, people hummed and muttered and bashed together.

Eric aimed his head down towards the floor and made himself as small as he possible could so he could weave through the crowds.

He was well aware that he was walking in the opposite direction to everyone else. He knew they were all aiming for the river. He heard the announcements through the tanoids on the helicopters; boats were being set up, people were urged to get to the water. Apparently the creatures didn't like the water. There had been nothing said about the destination of the boats or where anyone was trying to go.

For all they knew, people could be getting on boats, preparing to sail for days or possible weeks on end without an actual destination in sight. But no one could live on the water forever. They would need food, water, supplies, things they couldn't possibly get while sailing into the abyss like that.

Eric couldn't think about any of that. He couldn't follow the flow of people and aim for the water; for a brief sense of security that might not last or even be true. He couldn't go with everyone else.

Not without (Y/n).

He had to find his wife.

Deep down, Eric knew that he might not be able to find her. He might not be able to find his wife anywhere. Anything could have happened to her. He prayed she had stayed in the apartment, that she hadn't gone out anywhere, but there was always the possibility that she had left for an errand.

(Y/n) could have been crushed in the panic of people trying to survive and escape. She could be trapped beneath a collapsed building, caught in an explosion or dragged along with the sea of people towards a boat, never to see Eric again.

His worst fear was that she had been maimed or killed by one of those creatures.

Eric couldn't think of a world without (Y/n). Trying to imagine this world in an apocolypse was hard enough, but Eric would rather scream until his lungs shrivelled up and show himself to a creature than live a life without (Y/n). Therefore he was going to find her. Eric had to find her.

He was going to search the streets until he eventually found his wife. He was trying to make his way back to their shared apartment, praying that she would be there when he walked in and he would be able to hold her in his arms and thank God that he had her safe with him. Eric wasn't going to stop searching for her. He only had two choices, find (Y/n) safe and sound or lose his heart and give himself up to the creatures.

'I can't do this alone.'

He had never been good at doing things on his own, even simple tasks were worrying for Eric. When he met (Y/n), he found someone to share his life with, someone to be himself around and someone who wouldn't judge him and would walk through life with him. Someone to hold his hand so he never had to do anything alone, someone who he could love with his whole being and protect with his life.

Eric couldn't survive in this strange, terrifying new world on his own; he had to have his wife by his side or he wasn't going to make it.

His head stayed bowed down as he weaved through the throng of people until he was pressed up against a building with his feet shuffling along the pavement.

He hated the feeling of his sopping wet suit clinging to every inch of his skin. Riding the subway had been Eric's intention this morning, until chaos overtook everything and he ended up fighting for his life, swimming his way out. He barely made it half the ride on the subway before everything turned around. He had been going to work. How could plans change so much since this morning?

Just the memory of why he was dripping wet made Eric shiver and wince and he imbedded his arms tighter into his chest to try and calm himself down. He had been on the verge of a panic attack since the moment he crawled out the subway. He couldn't afford to slip into one now and risk getting himself killed.

Someone made a sound.

Maybe it was the accumilation of all the different noises, the squeaky wheels and the clicking of heels and the rustling of coats and papers and people barging together.

Whatever noise alerted the creatures, it seemed to drag a handful of them towards the street, all at once.

Eric's arms unravelled from his waist so one hand could smother against his mouth and nose. He pressed down harshly enough that his palm was almost grating against his teeth and his upper lip ached as he tried to smother himself and stay quiet. He didn't want to make a sound. He didn't want to be cut to pieces or torn or impaled or thrown about the street by one of those merciless things.

But he also wanted to cry. He wanted to burst into a fit of tears and scream and wallow in self-pity and terror all at once.

The tears leaking from Eric's eyes mixed in with the water that was already cascading down his face from his sodden hair. Every inch of him was drenched in water so at least no one could spy the tears pouring down his face.

His eyes turned a horrible shade of red as his brown iris's deepened and his body began to shudder on the spot.

He found himself backing up until his back was against the wall and his stomach creased forward until he was compacting in on himself to try and calm down and stop from screaming. Screaming had never been something Eric was accustomed to, he didn't feel the need to burst out into fits of screams all that often. But right now, in this moment where he knew silence was golden and necessary, there was nothing he wanted to do more than to unleash a scream so horrible it shook the world to its core.

When a creature jumped down from a building with a horrible echoeing scream and blundered past a swarm of people, Eric's eyes snapped closed. Tears continued to streak down his face but he kept his eyes tightly closed so he didn't have to see people fly into cars or see the blood splatters when people were needlessly and carelessly maimed.

Eric wasn't sure what made him open his eyes a few moments later. Maybe it was the screams and the need to look and see which way he should move to be away from immediate danger. Or maybe it was just something within him telling him to look and become aware of his surroundings.

Whatever it was within him, Eric opened those dark brown eyes and tried to look around him.

He found himself shuffling to the left, sliding along the building as he tried to find somewhere safe to cower down and hide.

That's when he saw her.

He recognised that frame, that hair, those sparkling eyes that were fuelled with fear. He knew that beautiful frame that was cowering down, trying not to get crushed by the swarm of frightened people running, sliding and colliding in all directions.

Eric's legs began to move before he registered what he was doing and he was trembling as he aimed for her. He had to get to her. That was (Y/n), that was his wife. Eric didn't have to run all the way back to their apartment. He didn't have to scour the streets or stay out all day and all night to try and find her. He didn't have to imagine her lifeless body somewhere in the street, carelessly killed and forgotten by all who passed her by. He didn't have to contemplate throwing himself in front of a creature to be joined with her again.

He had to fight for her, he had to fight to get to her and stay with her and make sure nothing happened to her. She was his reason for living through this mayhem.

The need to call out her name had never been more prominent and Eric clamped his lips shut to make sure that he didn't make a single sound.

Tears pelted against his skin, scraping along his face with the wind when he pelted across the road. His body skitted to the left and he twisted at an angle, narrowly avoiding colliding into a man running the opposite way to try and find somewhere safe. Somewhere to hide, some sense of shelter in the chaos that enveloped them.

(Y/n) tried to keep moving. She tried to weave through the crowds who were now screaming, despite knowing that sound was what would get them killed.

She tried to cower down, to find somewhere to stop, somewhere that she could hide and wait for the creatures to finish their destruction.

An arm deadlocked around her waist. A frozen, dripping wet hand clamped around her mouth, as if sensing the scream she was desperate to let out at the sudden unwanted touch.

A sodden chest pummelled into her back and sent her spiralling off kilter, allowing whoever had hold of her to drag her towards an alley. Their intention was unclear. Surely someone couldn't be trying to hurt her in a world where silence was the key to their survival. This person couldn't be trying to harm her when the desolate creatures were in thee midst of another attack. That was a death sentence for them both.

(Y/n) tried to move. Her elbows thrust out behind her before her hands curled around the wrist near her mouth and she tried to yank the hand away from her mouth. But all her movements ceased when she felt a familiar, if frozen, pair of lips hovering over her ear.

A quiet, almost non-existent rendition of 'shh' tickled the shell of her ear before their face was tucked into the crook of her neck and she felt those ice cold lips attaching to the crook of her neck. She could feel each frosty breath that fanned against her skin, showing just how close he was to a panic attack. Stood on the edge of the abyss, one centimetre from falling over the edge.

Her body went lax in his arms, allowing him to steer her into the alley and tug her down until they were both crouching on the floor, hovering as close to the wall as they could manage.

(Y/n) could feel every bittersweet wave of relief that flowed through her body while she pushed back into Eric's arms. Changing from trying to fight off his touch to cling to any part of him that she could. Her hands curled around his forearm when his hand moved from covering her mouth to curve over the top of her chest instead with his hand clamped down on her shoulder.

Her eyes fell closed when she felt Eric pressing his chest down into her back, curving around her like a protective blanket with his arms enveloped around her. She realised after a moment or two that he was slowly rocking them back and forth, swaying from his toes to his heels, presumably to try and calm himself down.

She could feel how badly he was breathing into her neck, but not from any injury. From the sheer overload of panic. Her thumbs began to swipe across his forearm and she tilted her head down to press a kiss to his exposed wrist where she could feel every aching beat of his heart.

Where had he been? Why was he in this part of town? What had he been doing to be drenched from head to toe? She could feel the water dripping off his suit, creating a puddle beneath them while his damp curls tickled her cheek and his frozen features were beginning to thaw out against the crook of her neck.

(Y/n) let a few tears fall from her eyes as she dug her nails into Eric's forearm and curled in on herself even tighter. She pushed back into Eric at every sound of a creature screeching like a siren or the sound of its claws scraping through the road, tearing up the streets as they passed through in a haze of destruction.

Each scream that somebody let out made them both wince. Screaming because they were scared was futile and a mistake, but screaming in agony or the process of death was even worse. Neither Eric nor (Y/n) wanted to hear their last sounds.

The silence was worse.

When the world seemed to settle, when the street suddenly died and all the noises stopped, (Y/n) wondered if time itself had paused for them. It felt like fate was giving them a moment to be with each other before their end would take them.

(Y/n) didn't want to raise her head or open her eyes. She didn't want to move and see the end coming to take them, and she was sure that Eric felt the same.

The pair of them stayed like that, wrapped around each other in a cold, broken alleyway for what felt like an eternity. Until the dust settled and the threat of the end seemed to vanish into thin air.

Eric was the first to move, he rose his head from where his face had been tucked into the crook of (Y/n)'s neck and took a second to glance over his shoulder towards the end of the alley. There was no creature hovering around, no monstrosity making clicking noises, prowling to find its next victim. No stranger wandering nearby crying or whimpering or screaming or searching for a loved one or a friend to sit with.

It was just… silence.

It felt dangerous to move, to break the bubble of serenity and closure they found themselves in. Moving felt like threatening their existence. It felt like taking an unnecessary risk, but (Y/n) couldn't just sit here anymore. She couldn't stay crouching here in the alley forever without turning round and looking at her husband. Checking if he was alright, hugging the life out of him. She had to move.

Her body trembled as she slowly unhooked Eric's arm from across her chest like a seatbelt of protection. Her knees quaked and shuddered as she tried to turn around without making any sound. It was harder than she thought, to concentrate on being quiet when she never had to think about making a noise or a scuffle before.

It made her move ten times slower than normal and moving so cautiously felt strange. But once she was turned around, (Y/n) could feel the flood gates opening.

She felt the tears streaming down her face and her lower lip wobbled so much she had to bite down on it to stop herself from sobbing and making a sound.

He was here.

Eric was here, he had found her when she had been trying her best to search for him.

When the world turned to madness, (Y/n) didn't know what to do. Staying in the apartment felt safe, it seemed like the safest thing to do when strange creatures were roaming outside causing mass chaos and destruction in their wake. Staying in the apartment would have been safe, but it wouldn't have helped.

How could (Y/n) stay when she didn't know what had happened to Eric? He left for work in the morning less than an hour before the world turned to madness. (Y/n) had no idea whether he made it to work, whether he had been hurt along the way or God forbid, killed. She didn't know if he was injured and needed taking to hospital or if he was stuck or trapped somewhere and couldn't get out.

She had no idea what had happened to him and (Y/n) couldn't just sit at home and ponder on what could be and what ifs when she could go out and try to do something. Try to find him.

The subway clearly wasn't an option and (Y/n) had felt her heart shatter to pieces in her chest like shards of glass splintering throughout her blood when she realised the subway was flooded. Eric could have been down there. He could have been trapped, drowned, torn apart. He might not have made it out.

And (Y/n) couldn't get down to the platforms to search for him. She had traced the subway from up above, followed the roads along the street on Eric's route to work to see if he was anywhere abouts while she prayed he had made it to work and was somewhere safe.

But now he was here. He was safe, they had found each other and nothing was going to tear them apart again.

(Y/n) looped her arms around Eric's neck and leaned forward until her chest was merged against his. The movement was slow, making sure their clothes didn't make any squelching noises as they glued together and that she didn't knock him off balance and tackle him to the ground making an echo that would give away their location.

Her arms shook horribly around his neck and she couldn't help but scratch her nails into his back, tearing into his maroon jacket that looked more like melted chocolate now it was drenched through to the bone.

More tears poured down her face as she held her breath deep in her lungs to stop from gasping and choking. Her knees pressed in between Eric's sodden thighs like she was wedging herself into his chest, trying to become a vital organ hidden away in ihs ribcage.

One hand moved from his back to cradle the back of his neck and her nails scratched through his damp curls, knotting them between her fingers when she felt him trembling in her arms. His fingers clutched tightly into her upper back and she could feel him silently crying into her neck as she did the same with him.

Having Eric in her arms had never felt so compelling and deadly before. She had never been so relieved yet heartbroken at the same time because he was here, he was safe, but he was shell shocked. He was tormented and frightened and emotionally hurt. And it wasn't going to get much better than this. They had found each other, that was the highlight of their lives, things couldn't get a lot better than this.

(Y/n) continued to scratch her fingers through his hair against his scalp while she turned her head and pressed her lips against his damp cheek that was just starting to thaw out.

She pressed open-mouthed kisses along his cheek and up to his temple until her lips were against the centre of his forehead and her hand slid around to cup his cheek rather than his neck. Her thumb swiped beneath his eye, brushing away the tears cascading down his face while she began to sway them from side to side like he had done moments before.

Eric didn't want to clutch at (Y/n) as tightly as he was, but he didn't feel like he had much other choice. If he didn't hold onto her like his life depended on it, he feared he might just fall into a nightmare or wake up from this dream into a world where he didn't find her in time. Into a world without her; a world which he wouldn't be able to survive in.

He let his nails puncture into the middle of her back through her shirt and his lips pressed against her collar bone while he focused on the feeling of her lips against his temple.

But when he heard what she was whispering against his skin, he could feel himself starting to shake all over again and it was harder to stop a sob from escaping past his lips. He was almost sinking his teeth down into her collar bone to stop from saying anything at all when she spoke so softly and hushed that it sounded like he was listening to her voice in his head rather than out here in the real world.

"You're safe, baby. You're safe now."

***

A grin pulled at (Y/n)'s lips when she heard the front door slam shut with a bang that echoed around the apartment towards the kitchen where she was stood. And when she heard the all too familiar sound of Eric's leather shoes clicking against the laminate with a fast pace and a quick stomp with every other step, she gathered that he was rushing.

She turned around just in time to see him barrel over to her and his hands found her hips with vigour. He couldn't seem to stop himself in time and his chest barrelled into hers, pushing her back until her hips thudded back against the kitchen counter and she was pinned between the counter and Eric.

A sharp grin spread across his face as those deep brown eyes creased and he dove down to steal a kiss from her lips.

When the shock wore off, (Y/n) reached her hands up to cup his face. Her fingers traced and tickled along the edges of his jaw where he was just starting to grow a few traces of stubble.

She could taste traces of coffee on his lips which mingled in with the cherry lipbalm she wore and a chuckle escaped her lips when she felt Eric's tongue move out to taste the balm on her lips.

She could feel his hands tightening around his hips and his pelvis pushed against hers until she was positively crushed against him in the best possible way. The feeling of Eric's chest depending and moving with a laugh made (Y/n) shiver but the sound of his laugh flooded her ears like the best symphony she had ever heard.

"So?" She drawled while her hands slithered down his neck until she was clutching at his collar which she carefully began to alter and smooth out the creases. Her fingers worked to straighten the collar over the edge of his blazer jacket before her hands patted down his chest and her fingers danced over his shirt while her head angled to one side.

Was he going to keep her waiting in suspense all afternoon?

Eric took a moment to dart his eyes up and down her frame like he was searching for something when really, he was just drinking her in. And his tongue traced his lips, savouring the taste of her lip balm while he watched her bubble over with excitement before he had even said one word.

"I passed. I can apply for the internship now."

The bright smile that lit up Eric's face was enough to make tears well up in (Y/n)'s eyes as an excited cheer left her lips and she surged forward to loop her arms around the back of his neck. She yanked him down to her until their lips meshed together in a tangled fight for dominance, while both of them were still laughing.

He passed the test. He could apply for the job he wanted at the law firm across town. The best law firm in the city. The firm that would help him pass the bar and become a lawyer. Just one more year and a handful of other tests, and that would be it. Everything would be official. Eric would have the job he'd always wanted, the job his parents had coached him through and helped him move to New York to do.

Everything was slotting into place and it had been suspiciously easy so far. Just one more year, and everything would be official. Everything would be set in stone.

The memory flashed before Eric's eyes and had his pace slowing down when the large multistory building came into view. He wasn't sure what kind of building it was or what it was used for or even why it had brought such a memory to the fore front of his mind.

The building didn't look like the office which Eric used to work at, the place he used to visit everyday. His office hadn't been made of glass like this with about one hundred floors reaching up towards the sky. But something about the building brought that memory to light for Eric and it made his heart sink to the pit of his stomach.

He would never be able to run home to (Y/n) like that again. He would never be able to pick her up and sit her on the counter and hear her laugh and cry and say how proud of him she was. He would never do anything that made her proud; not in a world like this. The only thing he could do was protect her and keep them both alive. Nothing else mattered; there was nothing else he could do.

Eric wanted to go back to that day. There were so many days he would want to revisit, to live again and experience and see. He would have to replay them all in his mind like a videotape and hope that none of them started to fade or change and that they would get him through this strange, corrupted world.

His hand tightened around (Y/n)'s as they continued to walk through the near-empty street.

They had gone home, they had spent one last night in their apartment, somewhere they felt safe but where they would probably never be safe and never see again. They thought about their memories, their possessions, everything they would be leaving behind.

And they decided to leave in the morning. They couldn't stay here, it wasn't practical. They couldn't live in the middle of a broken city that was void of everything except chaos and predators. They had to go somewhere safe, they had to find their way to the sea and go with others to keep themselves alive.

But making the journey down-town towards the sea wasn't as easy as it seemed.

Eric felt the way (Y/n) suddenly tugged on his hand and when she merged her temple into the back of his arm, he paused. He turned his head to look behind him, to look down at his wife and figure out why she had stopped. But he didn't need to look. He heard it too.

The familiar, blood-curdling clicking noise that indicated a creature was nearby.

Without thinking, Eric tightened his hand around (Y/n)'s and picked up the pace again. He steered towards the right, pulling her along with him as he tried to be quick but not too fast that his trainers clicked against the floor and alerted the creatures of their presence.

The only place to hide was the office building beside them that looked abandoned, deserted.

(Y/n) curled her free hand around Eric's arm, trying to glue them both together so she didn't lose him, not for one moment. Her body stayed as close up behind him as she could manage and she followed him into the turnstile doors.

But her face bashed into his back and her heart jumped into her throat when the doors wouldn't move. She looked up at Eric, a sense of panic flooding her face as a look of sheer anxiety mixed with a small dwindle of determination crossed Eric's features.

He let go of her hand and pressed both his palms down against the glass while his knees bent and he hunkered forward to try and shove the door.

There was a briefcase in the way. Wedged between the door and the corner of the wall, preventing the doors from spinning and opening any further.

They couldn't just stay here, the doors had to open. They had to get inside. They had to find somewhere relatively safe, somewhere they could hide.

Eric felt (Y/n)'s arm curl around his lower back and her cheek pressed against his shoulder while she moved her other hand to try and help him push the door. They had to get inside.

'Come on. Please!'

His lips rolled together and his brows furrowed as he shoved the door just enough to poke his head through the gap. Just a little more, just another two or three feet and they would be able to get through.

"Oh no." The quiet, almost non-existent noise fell from Eric's lips when the door swung round and the briefcase slammed closed and spun out like a spinning wheel.

The screech was almost instantaneous and (Y/n) could feel tears welling up in her eyes when the noise got louder. They were here; and there was more than one.

With both her hands on Eric's hips, (Y/n) nudged him forward and clutched him tight as they set off into a sprint. They had to move, fast. They had to get somewhere safe, somewhere to hide. They didn't have a choice but to take a diversion inside here on their way to get to the sea.

Both their bodies stayed hunkered down as they bolted through the unused, seemingly broken turnstile and aimed for the escalators.

(Y/n)'s hands left Eric's hips and clamped over her mouth to stop herself from screaming when a violent crash shattered from above and they both hunkered down when a sprinkling of glass clattered down on them like deadly flakes of snow. One of the creatures had crashed through the glass ceiling.

Her body hunched over until she was running crouched over but all she wanted to do was go down on her knees and curl up into a ball. Running while fuelled with adrenaline and every nerve set alight wasn't an easy task.

It was as if Eric's movements spoke a thousand words when he reached behind him and hastily turned to the left to reach out for her. His left arm secured around her waist and his other hand clenched around her arm so he could tug her in front of him.

One hand clamped down on her hip and the other held her shoulder so Eric could keep her in front of him. He couldn't hurry if (Y/n) was behind him, he needed his wife ahead of him so he could ensure she was alright and push her in an emergency to get her out of danger.

His chest kept merging into her back as they skidded around corners but every time Eric turned to look over his shoulder, he could feel his lungs tightening up and threatening to quit on him.

Three- no, four creatures were following them. Reaching for them. Desperate to tear them apart.

Their feet skidded against the marbled floor littered with glass and dirt and shoes and hundreds of sheets of paper as they turned a hasty corner and pelted out of an open side door.

What other choice did they have? Where could they go?

As long as she had Eric's hands on her body and his frame close behind her, (Y/n) could keep running. She could ignore the pounding of her heart, the squeeze in her lungs that were gasping for air and the pins and needles in her hands and feet. She could ignore everything as long as Eric stayed with her and didn't fall a step behind.

'Oh dear.'

She didn't want to. She really, really didn't want to steer Eric down there, not after what he had been through yesterday, but they didn't have much of a choice. They needed to get somewhere safe, somewhere to lose these creatures so they could get back on track and try and get to the sea.

The subway was right there.

The subway was down below and this entrance wasn't flooded to the brim with sewage and water. They could lose the creatures easier down there. There would be more places to hide, smaller gaps to wriggle into and things to use as cover down there. And there might be water.

The tanoids said these things don't like water. They could hide in the water or in the subway cars. They had to take the chance.

(Y/n) didn't bother to point, she didn't want to take the risk of showing Eric where she was trying to go and have him panic or try to drag her in a different direction. He had pushed her ahead and (Y/n) was going to try and guide them somewhere safe.

She reached behind her to latch her fingers around Eric's wrist where his hand was on her shoulder and she tried to run on her tiptoes, which was a challenge, as she headed down the steps.

Eric didn't seem to realise where they were going until they reached the bottom of the stairs. She felt the shiver that coursed through him and the way his nails pinched through her clothes and into her skin, but he didn't try and stop running. He continued to rush behind her, despite the agony pounding through his system.

'I'm a horrible wife.'

How cruel did this make her? She knew what Eric had been through yesterday, she had listened to him last night as he explained what he had gone through and the panic he had felt. She listened to everything he said, and here she was, dragging him back down somewhere that was going to scarr him again.

Tears glistened in her eyes that she tried to force back as they hurried around the corner and down another flight of stairs towards a platform. Any platform, just somewhere to keep them safe. Somewhere they could hide.

This time, as they neared a platform, (Y/n) could feel Eric's resistance start to build up. She could feel his hands piercing into her hip and shoulder, she could feel the way he was hunching over her and trying to steer her to one side, presumably to get her to run away from the track and to somewhere they could cower down.

There was a broken train car ahead. It seemed to have come off the tracks with how it was scraped up against the concrete edge of the platform and tilted on one side.

Hiding in the car wouldn't be a safe bet. The electrics could still be on and with all the water around, that was a recipe for disaster. Anything could collapse on them in there, they could become crushed or trapped or fatally injured. The creatures could tear that car apart piece by piece and kill them in the process.

(Y/n) paused on the very edge of the platform and looked between the tracks and Eric.

He shook his head. The way his lips curved down into a broken, gaping expression and the hollow look in his eyes made (Y/n)'s own eyes water. She didn't want to force him to do this, but they needed to get away.

That track was submerged in water, the water was flowing right to the very top of the platform. They could hide in there, they could trail through the water, follow the tracks, towards another subway stop and get out somewhere else in town. The creatures didn't like water, either they couldn't swim or they couldn't last long submerged in water. Either way, this was their only advantage.

A shiver coursed down Eric's spine and he visibly shuddered when (Y/n)'s hand reached out to cup the side of his face. she brushed her thumb along his jaw and nodded at him until he reciprocated the action and agreed.

He could hate her if he wanted; but she had to try and save them.

Eric could feel himself shaking before he got into the water. He sat down on the edge of the platform and carefully lowered his legs into the water. They couldn't afford to make a splash.

It felt strangely familiar to have water right up to his waist again and he cringed at the feeling and the memories of yesterday that came rushing to the fore front of his mind. He didn't want to think about yesterday. He didn't want to think about how close he had come to drowning.

Once he was in the water, he carefully turned towards (Y/n) and curled his hands around her hips when she sat down on the edge. He helped her lower into the water and he took the time to press a gentle, careful peck of his lips against her forehead.

He liked that she moved in front of him, he liked that (Y/n) was taking the lead, taking that stress from him and allowing him to follow her. And when she reached behind her and held onto his hands, Eric felt like crying.

He let her lift his hands and place both his palms down on her shoulders and she curled her hands around his wrists, brushing her thumbs across his skin to try and calm him down.

They could walk in tandem together, if Eric needed to cling to her to stay calm and get through this, then that was okay.

For a few seconds, his chin perched on top of her head and his chest glued down against her back as they waded through the water, one step at a time. The distant sound of the creature crashing around on the platform made them both shudder with each crack of the wall tiles and each screech it erupted.

There was very little light down here. Only the ventilation shafts in the ceiling provided little glimmers of light, but it was enough to let them see straight ahead and allow them to continue their descent along the track. The only relief was that they knew without a doubt that no subway train was going to come from either direction and mow them down.

(Y/n) could feel the panic radiating off of her husband the further they tried to trail through the water. And as they moved and Eric began to shake and his breathing started to become shallow and stuttered. He was panicking. He was getting nervous and upset. And (Y/n) couldn't blame him, not one bit.

"What happened?" The sound of the rain and the cushioned walls of the apartment gave them a little leeway and enough cover to be able to speak without just mouthing their words silently or trying to use what little sign language they knew. They were both too shaky to try and write down their conversations.

(Y/n) laid her head on Eric's shoulder and bound her arms tighter around his waist as they sat in the window seat, trying to be close enough to the rain to use it as cover.

Her fingers skimmed up and down the softness of his jumper while she felt him lean his cheek on top of her head. The way he shuddered told her whatever he experienced today hadn't been good. She figured by the looks of him that he didn't make it to the office this morning.

That might have been a blessing. The office could have collapsed. Eric could have been crushed or killed or left for dead at the office. Him not making it might have done them a favour and brought them back to each other.

"I was on the train for five minutes when- when they… the train stopped at the next platform, we were told to evacuate, but it was too late." Eric couldn't help the way he started to cry as he remembered the memories of this morning that somehow felt like a lifetime ago.

"I was one of the last to get off, t-the water was so high already. I was about to ask what was happening, when one of those things, it… God, baby, it got a woman and h-her kid. Snatched them and all they did was whisper."

Eric had been one second away from asking the man beside him what on Earth was going on. Why the subway was covered in broken tiles and bricks and clawed posters. Why everyone was panicking, where the water was coming from and why it was rising fast. Why they needed to evacuate. He almost asked any number of these things when a lady ahead of him whispered something to her child.

That was it. They were attacked, they were killed.

Their deaths had effectively saved Eric's life. He clamped his hands over his mouth and backed away into a corner, trying his best to stay alive.

"The lights went out and the water, I couldn't breathe. I was at the stairs when it rose high, I h-had to swim out. All I could think was getting back to you; to make sure you were okay."

The only thing pushing Eric to keep going was the thought of getting back to (Y/n). To make sure his wife was okay, to make sure she was alive. That was all Eric could think about and that was what got him through the event.

His arms tightened around (Y/n) when he felt her pressing a bundle of tender kisses against his chest and along his neck.

She was his reason for staying alive.

When it felt like Eric was slowing down, (Y/n) turned to look over her shoulder. What she saw broke her heart.

Tears were sliding down his features and those beautiful brown eyes that always reminded her of chocolate buttons were all but melted over and full of sorrow and panic. Those eyes bore right through into (Y/n)'s soul.

She watched as his lower lip wobbled like he was frozen cold and it made his chin jutter up and down. The way Eric's shoulders started to tremble showed (Y/n) that if they weren't in the water right now, he would of been tremoring from left to right and probably would of collapsed to the floor. Her husband was terrified.

"It's okay." (Y/n) tried to speak as low as she possibly could until it felt like she was moving her lips but nothing was coming out. She couldn't risk being any louder, she needed to calm him down but she couldn't use her voice and alert the creature of their presence.

Her hands tightened around his wrists and she watched as Eric nodded to himself and switched from clutching her shoulders to deadlock both arms around her neck and shoulders instead. He clasped his hands together over her collar bone, pushed his chest down against her back and squished his cheek against the side of her head so his lips were hovering against the side of her temple.

They started to wade through the water again, but (Y/n) shuddered when she felt Eric's arms clutch tighter until he was almost cutting off her breathing. And she found herself shaking her head when she heard him speak.

"It's okay. It's okay; we're okay." Eric started to whisper those words again and again, over and over to keep himself moving. But his voice was rising. He was whispering rather than muttering or mouthing. He was going to alert the creature where they were.

Eric snapped his eyes closed to try and ward off the tears as his shoulders quaked and his hand cupped the side of (Y/n)'s face so he could dance his thumb across her cheek to calm himself down.

When (Y/n) felt his chest shudder against her back and his breathing started to hitch, her eyes widened and she did her best to turn around in his tight embrace.

'No. Baby no.'

She tried her best to mouthe slowly and carefully so Eric could see what she was trying to say. He couldn't speak, he couldn't. But he was. He was muttering again.

Reaching her hands up, (Y/n) clamped them down on either side of Eric's face that was starting to turn cold and frozen just like when they found each other yesterday. Her thumbs brushed away his tears and just as his lips parted to whimper, (Y/n) surged forward.

Her chest meshed into his, glued together by the water that made their clothes tangle and entwine and stick together. Her elbows pressed against his chest, her hands squeezed his face and she brought him closer until her lips smothered his own.

She kissed him like their lives depended on it.

Her tongue swiped across his lower lip, her mouth parted to inhale what little air Eric had in his lungs and her tongue battled against his as she tried to calm him down and keep him quiet at the same time. When she felt Eric's hands shift down to clutch at her waist, she parted just enough so that there was a gap between their lips that were still barely touching.

She allowed Eric to suck in a deep breath before she engulfed his mouth again and savoured the touch, a little less erratic this time. She could feel Eric calming down against her. His chest wasn't stuttering or heaving, he wasn't gasping with shallow breaths, clutching at straws for a gulp of air. And more importantly, he wasn't muttering or whimpering anything anymore.

His frozen lips felt heavenly and calmed (Y/n) down more than she thought possible. She parted slowly to gulp for air before she moved to kiss the corner of Eric's mouth. She watched as his eyes closed and his head tilted back and his mouth hung open while he lost himself in her touch, trying to melt into her.

He was more than happy for (Y/n) to short-circuit his brain to get them through this mess.

He didn't want to be in the water after yesterday. He fought, scrambled, pushed and clawed his way out of that subway station to get back to fresh air, to stop from drowning. Eric didn't want to do that again, but if this was their only chance at refuge then he didn't have a choice. As long as he had (Y/n) with him this time, Eric might just be able to get through this.

'Okay?'

(Y/n) mouthed quietly once Eric finally opened his eyes after their lips parted. He seemed a little calmer and his breathing was a lot better now.

He managed to nod and before (Y/n) could turn around in his arms, her eyes widened and she grasped onto his neck when she felt his hands move. He was slow but stealth as he pulled her chest against his and started to walk, giving her no choice but to loop her legs around his waist.

At least with them being in the water, Eric wasn't really carrying her or needing to hold her weight; the water was doing that for him.

If he wanted to see her face and hold her like this, if it was going to help get him through this then (Y/n) was okay with that. She would stay cuddled up against him if it was what Eric needed.

Her legs looped loosely around Eric's waist to sit on his hips and her arms curled around the back of his neck. When Eric rested his chin on her shoulder and meshed his cheek against hers, (Y/n) began to card her fingers through his curls and she turned her head slightly hush and breathe against the shell of his ear. Praying that giving him some kind of noise, no matter how discreet, might just calm him down.

Eric breathed against her shoulder and tried to look dead ahead and every few steps, he would tighten his arms around (Y/n)'s waist.

(Y/n) kept her eyes peeled for the creature that was slowly but surely heading their way. Climbing the ceiling, crawling somewhat like an oversized spider to get to them. To kill them. She was glad Eric was looking the other way, him seeing the creature would only ignite his panic. Not that (Y/n) wasn't panicking, seeing the creature getting closer, but she could cope a little better than Eric.

It wasn't until the water rose towards Eric's lips that he started to struggle. He could walk and wade through the water just fine, but it was harder to keep moving with the water getting higher the further they went. He didn't want to start taking a nose dive under the water. He wanted to get out now.

The creature screeched as it scrambled faster along the tunnel when a bit of concrete smashed against the wall with the flow of water.

The noise made (Y/n) shudder in Eric's arms and she turned to look behind her to see how much further they had to go to get to the next junction. The next platform where they would be safe.

It didn't look much further. If they could get through that water, the creature wouldn't survive. It wouldn't follow through the water. The current was already doing half their job by dragging them along.

Another whimper left Eric's lips as he stopped walking, but it didn't make a difference. They were floating along now. He could barely breathe. His lungs were tightening, his head was tilted back with (Y/n)'s but they didn't have a lot of space left to breathe before they would be submerged.

He couldn't go under again. He couldn't drown again. He couldn't!

"No, no." Eric's lip wobbled as he started to shake his head and he wafted one arm to try and stop them from going any further, but it was futile. The water was dragging them. The creature was screaming behind them and getting closer. It splashed into the water and started to speed up towards them, despite its own sense of panic.

(Y/n) unravelled one arm from Eric's neck so she could point to her face before she pointed to the water.

She watched him shake his head; he didn't want to go under. They were running out of time, air, space; and choice.

Her legs unlatched from his hips but her hands cupped his face and she kissed the corner of his mouth again while she forced him to look into her eyes. She wasn't going to let go. She would stay with him, she would be here with him and she would look after him. But he had to trust her, he had to do this.

"Baby, you have to." When Eric shook his head, (Y/n) nodded and kissed him again. "Keep hold of me baby. Head under. Now!"

Her lips attached to his and she tried to breathe as much air as she could into his lungs before her hands moved to his shoulders and she pushed. She only had to nudge a tiny bit before the water did the rest and rose above their heads.

The feeling of Eric's nails piercing her skin was somehow oddly comforting, it meant he was still clinging to her and by her side through the madness. His fingers scraped and clutched at her skin until he had a tight grip of her forearm and he dragged her arm towards his chest.

To stick to Eric without being pulled away by the current, (Y/n) looped an arm around the back of his neck when they were close enough. She tried to keep her eyes open but the water burned and the little flecks of grit and dirt made it impossible to keep looking.

She had to close her eyes and hope the current would take them to a pocket of air or a new platform. Somewhere they could get out.

Their legs thrashed together, kicking at bits of ironwork, bricks, tiles and what Eric was sure was the creature which made him thrash harder. He fought with all his might, twisting as the current turned him upside down like he was on his way to Wonderland.

He clutched at (Y/n), making sure not to lose her for a moment. He didn't want to become parted, they couldn't be separated. Not at any cost.

He had to close his eyes when he felt the need to scream, the need to make a noise and the desperate urge to breathe which he knew would choke him.

A rock pummelled into Eric's chest and sent him reeling to the right, barelling into (Y/n)'s frame before the water seemed to spit them out like a bad taste.

They crashed onto a broken pile of rubble and dirt and the air overwhelmed them until they were both spluttering and gasping for air.

They made it.

The creature wasn't nearby. It hadn't survived the water. They did. They had made it somewhere safe; they were near a makeshift tunnel, leading up to a patch of light ahead. That had to be somewhere safe, somewhere better than this.

(Y/n) felt her head spinning in circles as she collapsed on her back on the rubble with the water licking at her heels like it was trying to thank her. Her chest heaved but she spluttered when she felt Eric move. His head plopped down on her chest and his arm deadlocked around her waist as he laid on top of her, gasping just as much as she was.

His wet lips attached to the side of her neck and he clung to her as much as he could without fully squashing her beneath him.

When he felt her fingers weave into the hair at the back of his head and her lips flutter against his temple, Eric could of cried. But it was her words, hushed against his dripping forehead while they clung to one another, that made Eric's whole body light up.

"I'm so proud of you."

[finalgowrl]

go little rockstar 💫

[pitifulbaby]

I’m actually so normal about this btw

[moonpascaltoo]

ERIC (AQPDO)

╰┈➤ 18+ none of these stories belong to me! this is a masterlist of all eric stories i’ve read and reblogged! just thought it would be nice to have them all in one spot! (if your fic is on here and you wish not to be, please let me know!) <3

MASTERLIST • 08/16/24

@fairyysoup ✰ easy living You ran into Eric on accident. Now you're facing the end of the world together. How do you get to know someone when you can't make a sound?

@websterss ✰ just trying to be brave The reader only knows of one way to calm him whilst he's having a panic attack during the madness, and they gently let him rest against their chest and listen to their heartbeat until he calms down

@lovebugism ✰ love and mercy you're more stubborn than the apocalypse. eric is the personification of a sad, wet dog. your world's collide when the world as you know it ends.

@corroded-hellfire ✰ shame is useless Sam has noticed how much you look at Eric, and encourages you to go for what you want because no one knows how much time there is left.

@sunsburns ✰ the great gig in the sky you had come to the library with only one thing in mind; to finish your final paper for class. but then there's this cute forgein lawyer asking you for help finding a book, and you think you're hitting it off with this guy but then the next thing you know, the world is ending. ✰ fallen fruit you and eric go on a supply run to help aid the mother and her child at your safe spot, where dozens of other survivors are hiding. it isn't too far of a journey, and travelling in groups is better than alone, however, when the military starts bombing the bridges in new york city, the two of you are forced to go into hiding after being chased by a death angel.

@eddiesxangel ✰ be quiet darling

@storiesforallfandoms ✰ i’d find you in any life in which two idiots in love find their way back to each other after the end of the world

@kitscutie ✰ hush after you obtain an injury which requires stitches, you do your best to keep absolutely silent.

@pasukiyo ✰ perhaps, perhaps, perhaps perhaps it's chance. perhaps it's happenstance. but perhaps it is fate.

@babybluebex ✰ needs and wants in the direct aftermath of the apocalypse, you meet a man who's worse for wear in just about every regard. even though you can't do too much to heal his injuries, it's possible that you can heal his heart.

[rafeyswrd]

a quiet place au, series one

. . . from my pogue!reader x rafe cameron universe.

SUMMARY. all you wanted was to spend a day work free. a tragic expectation really, when the screeching and dreadful screams sounded through the island. and after painful trudges and sour wounds, it didn’t take long to figure out that all you needed to do was stay quiet — and simultaneously take care of a terrified and overly scared cameron.

day one. chapter one.

CONTENT WARNINGS. gore. blood. violence. death. wounds. vile monsters (?). starvation ( not an ed ). puking. false methods of healing. overuse of medication. drug addiction & withdrawal ( rafe ). diseases. implication of mental health disorders ( depression, anxiety ). attachment issues. mention of parental abuse. sexual relationships ( smut ). bad friendships. romance through horror ✍🏽

PLEASE READ AUTHOR’S NOTE. despite the content warnings, rafe and reader’s relationship is actually the healthiest thing amongst all of this. tooth rotting yearning, fluff and longing is present through and through. ———— rafe is not fully ooc (?). it’s just this is set in season 1 right before he killed peterkin, and i truly believe he’s very fragile through that time period due to his father’s abuse and drug usage. — so this is just how i *honestly* imagine he’ll behave.

tag list still open ! . . .

[hawkebuckley]

[kingsteve-more-like-dadsteve]

Yall already knew I was gonna say this but Im watching A Quiet Place: Day One with Joseph Quinn. Obviously yall know I love him, but also you’re telling me to see him as he is but also AS A MAN WHO ISNT AFRAID TO CRY AND BE SCARED?!

The Subway scene bro? Mans having a panic attack? Hey that’s my babygirl

Hey, I need to be put down. I need to hug and kiss this man while he cries about being scared to die

[georgeweasleyslostearhq]

MY SILENT VALENTINE

Pairings: Eric Sutton x Fem! Summary: Despite everything going on, Eric still wants to give you a special Valentine's Day Warnings: mention of tears. A/n: yes, I know he's supposed to be gay; I respect it, and I support, I just personally don't write for Male!reader and this is just a fic.

Valentine masterlist

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You sat next to Eric as he stared ahead of him, staring at the cracked tiles of the floor beneath you.

You leaned your head on his shoulder tiredly, stretching your legs out in front of you.

How you ended up finding him again in this city, you don't know, but you're glad you get to spend what might be your last days with your boyfriend.

You'd known each other for a few years, meeting through a friend he was going to law school with, a few days of texting and a drunken night together at a shitty pub, you decided he was quite cute.

He hadn’t made a move that night, even when you’d half-drunkenly tugged on his sleeve and told him he had the prettiest eyes you’d ever seen. He’d only laughed, shaking his head before helping you into a cab.

You thought about that now, the way he’d always been- reserved, careful, like he was holding something back. Even now, with the world in pieces, he sat still, shoulders tense, jaw tight, eyes fixed on nothing.

Your eyes flicked toward Sam, curled up a few feet away, breath too quick, too uneven. You knew what that meant. So did he.

Eric’s fingers twitched. His leg bounced once, then stopped. His whole body braced like he was already preparing to move.

You reached for his sleeve, barely a touch. He stilled.

Slowly, he turned his head. His expression was tight, set, but his eyes flickered- hesitation, exhaustion, fear. You exhaled softly, squeezing his arm once.

He leaned away as you let him go, facing Sam on the bench, grabbing a bottle and twisting the cap, bringing it to her lips as she layed on her back.

Her eyes were closed, and she looked on the verge of death, it made your heart ache as she leaned over and coughed most of the red-tinted liquid up, letting it dribble down her chin as Eric held her to make sure she didn't fall off her seat.

After a moment, he looked down at the floor to the notebook. Taking the pen, he quickly scribbled down the words 'what meds do you need?'

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The church was silent, but your heartbeat was so loud it filled the space where sound should be. The only other noise was Sam’s uneven breaths as she shifted in her sleep, too weak to do anything else. You sat in the dark, knees pulled to your chest, arms wrapped tight around yourself.

Eric had been gone too long. 3 hours- at least.

Frodo gone for just as long, he was sat on your lap when he jumped off and left just a few minutes after Eric.

You told yourself he was fine. That he’d come back. That he wouldn’t just-

Your fingers curled into your sleeves. The thought made your throat close.

The candles had burned low hours ago, leaving the church in deep shadows. The stained glass was nothing but black shapes now, no color, no warmth. Every small creak of the old wood, every shifting shadow made your breath catch, made your stomach tighten. You tried to stay still, tried to listen. For what, you didn’t know. Footsteps? A sign?

Or maybe- maybe nothing at all.

You squeezed your eyes shut, pressing your forehead against your knees. He promised. He said he’d be careful. He wouldn’t just disappear, right?

Right?

You didn't know the time, you're not even sure you knew the day, all you know is that you'd be even more lost without Eric...and as much as she pretends, she doesn't need him, Sam probably would be too.

But then you saw a shadow.

Soft, hesitant. A shift of weight. A scuffed step against stone.

Your head snapped up.

Eric stood in the doorway, backlit by the dim glow of the city beyond, his silhouette stiff, breathing hard. His eyes met yours, wide and searching, and for a moment, he just stood there, like he wasn’t sure he had really made it back.

You moved before you could think, standing up to tiptoe towards him. He caught you, arms tight, solid, real. He smelled like sweat and blood and dust, his breath shaking against your hair.

For the first time in hours, you breathed.

You didn’t speak. You couldn’t. It would echo. It would ruin the moment.

Instead, you pulled back just enough to look at him. That was when you noticed his grip was still tight around a bag. He exhaled, quick and shallow, and knelt down next to Sam, unzipping it with shaking fingers.

Pulling out a box named Fentanyl Transdermal System, he held it up, making sure it was the right one.

Sam tiredly nodded and you took the box from him, seeing how his hands were shaking.

you took one of the bandages, quietly peeling it open before handing it back to him, watching as he careful applied it to her side, Sam holding her shirt up just a smidge for him to place it where she needs.

He silently pants as he pulls away, leaning his back against the bench, his head leaned back as he wiped his forehead, stretching his legs out.

His hand landed beside yours as he looked up to the ceiling. You took it, gently squeezing, silently thanking whoever would listen to you that they brought him back to you

Eric looked over at you, his eyes heavy when he pulled away, grabbing something from his bag. You heard a pen come in contact with paper and thought he was trying to say something before he handed it to you.

A heart shaped card with a bright red background stared back up at you, a cherubic little angel with curly hair and delicate wings is depicted in a soft cream color, playing a trumpet displayed in the centre.

You smiled as you opened it, finding his shaky writing beneath the 'happy valentine's day' already provided. It was three simple words that he had written beneath, three small words that you hadn't been able to hear from him for a couple days now, which is probably why you felt a tear fall from your eye.

You may not remember what day it was, but Eric did, underneath every spec of anxiety that rattled your boyfriend's bones, he always took the time to do something for you.

You stared at the card for a while, then back at him. His face was unreadable, tense, like he didn’t know if he’d made a mistake bringing it back.

You shook your head, a small, shaky breath escaping you as you held the card close.

It was perfect.

You leaned closer to him, pressing your body up against his, seeking any warmth in him to give you comfort.

He wrapped an arm around your shoulders, pressing a chaste kiss to your head as your curled up next to him.

Closing your eyes, another tear fell down your cheek, slowly rolling down to your chin before he wiped it away.

"I love you too" you mumbled under your breath, hoping he'd hear it.

He did.

You swallowed a lump in your throat as you stared ahead.

You noticed all the candles, melting onto the floor, you noticed all the people, shivering and hugging themselves for warmth, you noticed every grain of dirt on the tiles, the blood smeared on the walls, every piece shard of glass from the windows and every whisper fallen onto somebody's lips as they comforted a friend, a family member, lover and even a stranger.

You noticed all of it.

But you didn't notice the tears rolling down Eric's face.

He was so scared, petrified, even, but at least you were still in his arms, at least he still had the chance to tell you- write to you- that he loved you.

It just so happened that Valentine's Day would fall upon an alien invasion, but that didn't mean he still couldn't give you a second of happiness, even for a minute.

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[websterss]

OUR QUIET START — ERIC (AQPDO)

SUMMARY: You didn't think much when you decided to leave the house today, you didn't plan for a world apocalypse, you didn't plan to fear for your life, you didn't plan to meet anyone new.

WARNING(S): angst, some fluff, signing, deaf son.

WORD COUNT: 1,963

PAIRING: Eric x fem!Reader  

A/N: Hope you enjoy it! Feedback is always welcomed.

MASTERLIST

You didn’t think your life could flip in an instant. One mere disaster that further evolved into living in fear and silence. You didn’t know what those things were, but all you knew was that the mere lot of them had descended from the sky and now they wreaked havoc in the streets. Your neighborhoods, your city. It wasn’t intact anymore. It had just been a regular day. A great day, one turned into a never-ending nightmare.

The echoes of everyone’s screams still haunt your nightmares. What was a nice sunny day turned into a living hell. You and your Thomas had only needed to get a few necessities that you were running short on. You didn’t think much of it until the ruckus started. Cars crashing into each other outside. Horns going off one by one. People began running frantically, running back into the stores, which had lured the things inside. You had instantly dropped everything and grabbed onto him. Tugging him down with you. Your backs pressed up against the shelves. Your first instinct was to reassure Thomas. He could see everything unfold before him, people running past the aisles, parents hoisting up their children, cans and packages falling, he registered everyone’s movement, but he couldn’t hear the screams and cries. Not like you could. The creature was picking everyone off one by one. You shed tears harder as you brought your hands out in front of you. Your hands were trembling as you managed to say what you needed to him.

Need stay quiet. You signed. You nodded rapidly, trying to make him understand. You brought your finger up to your lips to further emphasize. You brushed back his curls as he brought his own hands up to wipe at your fallen tears.

Your lips trembled as the clicks of the creature grew closer. The store fell into an eery silence. You were just waiting for someone to fuck up and make a sound. Draw attention and risk your lives.

Thomas tapped your arm to gather your attention. His brows furrowed deeply as he signed. Your eyes fell on his hands then his face.

Shooter, what?

You shook your head no. Reaching your hands forward to grip his own. You could see him stricken with fear and confusion. If it hadn’t been a shooter then what was it? Thomas shook his head, his own hands pushing your hands back up to explain it to him further. His jaw was clenched and his eyes narrowed. He pushed against your hands again. Then he signed. Tell me. He mouthed me.

You sighed then closed your eyes. Your brain half working in the brink of nearly dying and trying to get the fuck out of the store. Monster. How the fuck did you forget the sign for monster? You opened your eyes back up. Raising your right hand to spell out monster for him. Letter by letter.

M.O.N.S.T.E.R. You then went to sign what you had been pondering what they were, they shot down from the sky that could only mean one thing right? You rose your hands up to your head, your hands curling to make devil horns, but instead you wigged your forefingers in a circle to sign alien. Your mouth mouthing the word for him as well. Alien.

Thomas’s eyes fell to the ground then back up to you. He shook his head, pressing against your lowering hands. That’s not what he wanted to know. You only locked eyes with him. Keep contact and nodding yes. His eyes widened in fear as he started registering it. His eyes stayed that way as he moved back a bit. His body slumping as his eyes wandered around. Looking to each end of the aisle you took shelter in. The store, you now realized might’ve been the wrong place to take shelter in, anything could clatter to the ground if you weren’t careful.

You figured he needed a minute because it was a lot to take in, but boy were you wrong. His eyes flew past your shoulder, and that’s when he saw the creature before you even heard it. He tugged on your sleeve frantically, scooting back, but you stayed frozen in place as you slowly turned to look at it. His eyes widened in fear. It turned into the row you were in. Thomas gripped your hand firmly. Sliding into your side. He went as far as to wrap his arm around you. His arm now between you and that thing, but it wouldn’t do much to protect you both. The alienated clicks it was making did not put you at ease. Especially as he creeped by you two. You held you breath, staying as still as you could muster. Thomas opted for closing his eyes. If he couldn’t see it, then surely it wouldn’t do anything to you guys, he thought. And it didn’t. Not yet anyway.

The creature didn’t see you. You further watched as it continued down the another end. The people in the aisle next to yours however hadn’t been so lucky. A can colliding with the floor capturing its attention right away. You silently gasped as you clung to Thomas. Burying your face in his chest. He pressed your head to his body. Creating a barrier between you and the horrid sight that was happening before him. His eyes watered as he looked away and let his forehead press on top of yours.

You had completely missed the man looking at you and your child, nor the creature coming back down towards you after tearing apart another person who dared to scream at the sight of them alone. So long as we didn’t make any noise they wouldn’t go near us, you began to put together. They were attracted to noise, so you just had to not make any.

Upon the creature getting closer the man decided to slowly pick up a can and launch it down the store. The loud clatter of the can was enough to drag the creatures attention that way. The cacophony of other peoples screams kept the creature and its second buddy busy. There had been two in the store with you all. He pushed himself up his feet, and grabbed both yours and Thomas’s hands, pulling you out the store before they turned back.

The chaos outside was worse off than the store. You would have rather stayed put inside to not have to watch New York fall apart in disaster. You clutched your son close to you, turning his eyes away from the chaos that administered around you. Various screams of those trying to out run the terrifying creatures down the streets, cars being flipped and ablaze with fire. Buildings shattered glass littering the streets and caught fire from the collision of their arrival. Your beloved city was no longer.

You turned to face the man who saved you both. His mouth opening to speak, but your hand shot out before you could think, covering his lips with your palm as you shook your head no.

He seemed to catch on as he scoped the vacant streets. He looked down brushing his hands against yours, you hesitated to follow him once more, but something in you told you to follow, to follow where he went. Better than staying out in the open. You looked down at Thomas who peered up at the man with feigned interest, he was guarded and caution of the new stranger.

Don’t trust him. He signed, shaking his head. His hands clawing upwards his chest area then curling into fists in an upward twist. Trust is what he signed. His brows pinched together. If his frown didn’t give him away, it had been the judgmental look he gave the man in the brown suit as he roamed his figure in a once over. You sighed quietly, bringing your hands up to sign back.

You mouthed its then brought your forefinger, middle finger and thumb together flicking them outwards in an okay sign. You mouthed Let’s then signed for trust. You brought your hands upwards your chest area too, then curled your hands into fists in an upward twist. Trust.

The roll of his eyes had you smiling. You got him. You extended your arm for him to take then allowed the man to lead, but not before he stuck his finger out in a waiting motion. He paused for a brief second, looking like he was thinking over something then lowered to your son’s height. He brought out his right hand and miserably failed to sign his name, the R passing for a U which had you and your son pinching your brows together. Euic?

Was he foreign?

Upon your lost expression, he looked to you and mouthed Eric. Pointing to himself.

You looked to his lips. AREECC. You mouthed his name to yourself slowly. Your mouth opened in realization knowing where he messed up. You looked down at Thomas whose eyes shifted back and forth between the two of you. You waited patiently till his eyes landed on you and your hand. E-R-I-C. You signed the R hard for emphasis in replacement of the U.

Eric? What? Really? Thomas’s brows shot up in amusement.

Your son deadpan at the man. Eric now labeled, was lost to his own confusion. You silently laughed, no sound echoing past your lips. You slowly helped him out hitting and making each letter out hard. You twisted your forefinger and middle finger together. Then pressed your thumb to lay on top of your ring finger. R you mouthed.

Eric copied your hands. R he mouthed. He went to make the attempt again with your son. He lowered down to his height and began with pointing to himself. I’m E-R-I-C. He smiled feeling happier he was able to get his name across to you both. He went further to extend his hand out, your Thomas was hesitant but eventually shook his hand. With learned precision, Thomas’s signed letters came out second nature. Watching Eric trying to catch each one was all the entertainment you needed today. You tapped his shoulder to look up at you. You slide your right dominant hand up your non dominant left a short distance across your forearm in a fast motion, starting from the back of the base.

Slow. You gave him a pointed look. He don’t sign. You slide your right dominant hand up your non dominant left a short distance across your forearm again, going even slower to emphasis very very slow.

Slow. You mouthed. Thomas huffed in annoyance. You understoodd his hate to go at the pace of someone who wasn’t fluent, his want for people to learn was valid, but not everyone wanted to or wasn’t very good at it.

He patted Eric and waited for his eyes to shift onto him. With reluctance and annoyance he brought his hand up and signed his name slow at your requests. T-H-O-M-A-S.

Thomas, he mouthed his name then pointed to himself.

“T–“ You had rushed forward again when Eric began to pronounce his name. You muffled the T before it spilled past his lips. You looked around, your heart beating against your chest, but the tension in your shoulders didn’t let up. A creature ran by but didn’t see nor hear you three. You let your head fall forward. Eric steadying himself with a hand on your shoulders. You shook your head again, lifting it slowly then bringing your forefinger to your lips. Your reminder to him to remain quiet. Quiet…you all needed to stay quiet. Your fear struck something within him, a need to not fail you again. To not fail you and Thomas ever again.

[sheriffgrimes-archerdixon]

Request: hi! I know this is a long shot but could you please do a quiet place: day one imagine between Eric and reader??? I don’t mind what happens! Thank you. I hope this is okay to ask!!

A/n: thank you so much for the request! This isn’t linked to the actual events of the films so no spoilers for anyone who sees it! Enjoy!!(:

One last hug

One finger was lifted to Eric’s lips his eyes wide as he stared at you, you had just stepped on a shard of glass and were now facing the consequences. About fifty of these crawling alien things making you want to run. But Eric kept one finger to his lips his other hand extended out towards you to ensure you wouldn’t run. As you stared at him and he stared at you a flash of recognition crossed across his features. This wasn’t your day. Nor was it his. You had both survived for an exhausting 1500 days at that point, and now, it seemed these aliens were finally going to get you.

His breathing was heavy, chest rising and falling before his hand extended out to stop you slowly turned his slender fingers stretched out towards you “come here.” He whispered, a reassuring look in his eyes as the prowling monsters chittered and growled as they got closer, trying to sniff the both of you out. You hurried towards him, the glass crunching underneath your feet as you grabbed onto his hand before your arms tightly embraced around his neck holding onto him like your life depended on it— which, thinking about it, it did. Your breathing was heavy and shaky eyes filling with tears as his arms snaked around your waist gripping onto you. He was the one facing all the monsters getting closer and closer, his fingers curling into your T-shirt as he saw the cruel monsters get closer and closer their claws crushing glass underneath their feet and he breathed heavily. You could sense that he was looking at them— looking at his death coming straight at him and so in a comforting manner you lifted a hand to caress against his hair, running your fingers through the soft dry mess of dishevelled hair

“Eric listen to me,” you soon whispered feeling the way he trembled but didn’t dare let go of you, “shh..” he tried to whisper his adams apple bobbing up and down as he struggled to contain his sobs “breathe… Eric…” he watched as the monsters grew closer and closer until they were only a few steps away his grip on you tightening “Eric close your eyes.” You gently coaxed the man and he let out a strangled sob, burying his face into the crook of your neck. “I’ve got you. Just keep your eyes closed.” You heard the chittering in your ear as you could practically feel it’s sharp teeth digging into your skin, but, seemingly the monster didn’t instantly attack….

You and Eric shared one last hug together, expecting it all to go dark. Expecting to die a cruel death just like the poor people whom had been killed by these monsters… but, nothing happened, the monsters didn’t attack. Instead their chittering grew louder as the sound of helicopters grew close Eric’s breathing growing heavy “Eric..” you whispered frightened, the man lifting a hand to press over your mouth silencing you as the helicopters grew closer the loud sound

“Survivors head to the dock. A boat will pick up any remaining survivors. The attackers cannot swim. I repeat survivors head to the dock.”

The voice spoke through the PA system of the helicopter and before you knew it you had pushed Eric down holding onto him tightly as the monsters instinctively followed the loud noises of the helicopters the rumbling of the helicopters making the monsters gallop past, snarling and growling, you burying your face into Eric’s chest as you both panted you gripping onto him repeatedly begging whoever was up in the sky at that point to just have mercy…

Your breathing remained heavy as the monsters continued to pass until seemingly all the monsters had fled, pursuing after the helicopters. You breathed heavily before pulling away looking at Eric who looked horrified but still he didn’t speak, instead he looked behind your shoulder the final chittering one another monster making your blood run cold, tears threatening to fall down your cheeks as your body began trembling, a distraught look on Eric’s face as the monster got closer to the both of you, before Eric opened his arms wide for you, pulling you into a tight hug as he stared up at the beast, listening to you as you sobbed babbling out terrified whimpers of how you loved him knowing it was the last thing you’d both hear….

He breathed heavily tears in his eyes before he forced you to gently look into his eyes the monsters hot breath fanning over the both of you. “Close your eyes.” He whispered with a reassuring smile, as he closed his eyes just as you did, as you both embraced each other desperately… darkness encasing the both of you, embraced in one another’s arms, forever.

I hope this is okay. Sorry it’s sad): I’ll make a happier one if it’s requested!!